bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective association between standing balance and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults
Authors: Yan Jingzheng , Luan Fangyun , Wang Meijuan , Dong Wenshuo , Zhang Xinyue , Li Mengli , Cao Yingjuan
Published: September 2022

Objective

To investigate the association of standing balance with cognitive functions and the rate of cognitive decline among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

Methods

Participants were selected from China’s Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 8,499 subjects aged ≥45 years who participated in wave 1 to wave 3 surveys were included in the final analysis. Standing balance was measured using the tandem test, and participants were categorized into two groups according to their ability to maintain standing balance. Cognitive functions were assessed in three domains: episodic memory, mental status, and global cognition. The associations between standing balance scores, cognitive scores, and the rate of cognitive decline were evaluated using linear regression and linear mixed models.

Results

Compared with participants who successfully completed the standing balance test, those who were unable to complete the test had lower scores on episodic memory [β = −0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.24, −0.11], mental status (β = −0.28; 95% CI: −0.37, −0.19), and global cognition (β = −0.51; 95% CI: −0.65, −0.38) after 4 years of follow-up. In addition, the rate of decline in mental status and global cognition increased by 0.10 (β = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.13) and 0.08 (β = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.12) units, respectively, in participants who were unable to complete the test compared with their counterparts.

Conclusion

Good standing balance was significantly associated with higher cognitive function and a lower decline in mental status and global cognition in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
The work identity of leaders in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Meadows Stephanie , De Braine Roslyn
Published: September 2022

The world of work is being changed at an unprecedented rate as a result of the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This rate of change was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left organizations and their leadership to deal with myriad of challenges. These changes also impacted leaders’ identities in their work and their roles in their organizations. We examine how leaders responded to the various workplace challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and what this meant for their work identities as leaders. To do this, we made use of role identity theory, social identity theory, and leader identity. A qualitative study was conducted with a group of eight senior leaders from various South African and global organizations who had between five and 10 years’ work experience, and some had even more. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, conducted virtually and in person. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The main finding that emerged from the research was that leaders employed virtual leadership to ensure that customers’ expectations were met, and to manage team-and organizational performance. These leaders achieved this by fostering a digital culture and building effective teams. They achieved their leadership goals by ensuring social identity continuity amongst their teams. This required them taking on extra roles, such as strategist, technology expert, entrepreneur, coach, mentor, and member of the team. Their leader role identity, as part of their work identity, was amplified by the pandemic. The implication is that organizations should develop leadership development programs to increase and strengthen leader identities to capacitate them for times of crisis.
Gender inequality in incivility: Everyone should be polite, but it is fine for some of us to be impolite
Authors: Chen-Xia Xing J. , Betancor Verónica , Chas Alexandra , Rodríguez-Pérez Armando
Published: September 2022

Civility is formed by social norms that guide our behavior and allow us to interact appropriately with others. These norms affect everyone and are learned through the socialization process. However, in the same process, people also learn gender norms that dictate how men and women should behave, leading to gender stereotypes and differentiated behavioral characteristics. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between gender and civility, and how we react to those who behave uncivilly given their gender. The results of Study 1 (N = 153) showed that even in a fictional and gender-neutral society, uncivil behaviors were associated with stereotypically masculine characteristics, and those who behaved uncivilly were dehumanized. In Study 2 (N = 144), gender differences were observed in incivility. Women were harsher when facing uncivil transgressors than men, especially if the transgressor was another woman. Our findings support the notion that gender norms are applied to civility, leading those supposedly equal social norms to unequal perceptions and evaluations.
A world of opportunity: A top-down influence of emotional intelligence-related contextual factors on employee engagement and exhaustion
Authors: Levitats Zehavit , Ivcevic Zorana , Brackett Marc
Published: September 2022

Despite continuing interest in the impact of employees’ emotional intelligence (EI) in explaining for their engagement and emotional exhaustion, there are still large gaps in our understanding of the role played by contextual EI-related factors, such as an EI-related organizational culture and supervisors’ emotionally intelligent behavior (EIB). This two-study research approaches EI from a macro-level perspective, attempting to address three objectives: (1) to develop and define a theoretical concept of EI-supportive organizational culture, (2) to develop and validate measures of organizations’ EI-related values and practices, and (3) to investigate their top-down effect on employee engagement and exhaustion, via supervisor EI-related behavior. In the first study, we conceptualize and develop measures of perceived EI-related organizational values and human resource management (HRM) practices, as separate yet related dimensions of organizations’ EI-related culture, and test their validity. In the second study, we build on the job demands-resources (JD-R) theory and Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) framework to develop and test a model of the process links between perceived EI-related values and HRM practices and employee engagement and exhaustion, using a large sample of employees across industries in the USA workforce (N = 12,375). In line with our hypotheses, the findings suggest that EI-supportive HRM practices have a top-down effect on employee engagement and exhaustion via supervisor EIB, whereas low regard for emotions values has a top-down effect on employee exhaustion via supervisor emotional misbehavior. Results are discussed in the context of the JD-R theory, AMO framework, and the EI literature.
Empirical analysis based on the related factors of college students’ mental health problems
Authors: Zhenhua Huang , Nan Wang
Published: September 2022

Interpersonal relationship is one of the important factors affecting college students’ mental health. The relationship between interpersonal relationship and college students’ mental health has also become a large number of academic research topics. In order to explore whether there is a correlation between optimism and college students’ mental health, and if so, what kind of situation it presents. Based on literature review, mathematical statistics and questionnaire survey, this study optimized the iterative process of clustering algorithm. Extract valuable parts from a large amount of precipitation of students’ psychological data, establish data models, and provide decision-making guidance for managers. The results show that there are significant differences between optimists and pessimists in optimistic factors and pessimistic factors. Optimists score significantly higher on optimistic factors than pessimists, while pessimists score significantly lower than pessimists. Conclusion optimism can significantly alleviate life stress and intervene psychological crisis.
Cyberchondria, but not preventive behavior, mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden: Evidence from Russia
Authors: Zolotareva Alena
Published: September 2022

Background

There is extensive available research on the relationship between fear of COVID-19 pandemic and physical symptoms. This study was the first to examine the cyberchondria and COVID-19 preventive behavior as mediators of this relationship.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2021, during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia. The participants were 2,011 Russian-speaking volunteers aged 18 years and older. They completed questionnaires on somatic burden, cyberchondria, COVID-19 preventive behavior, and fear of COVID-19 pandemic. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating roles of cyberchondria and preventive behavior in the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden.

Results

Fear of COVID-19 positively predicted somatic burden, cyberchondria, and COVID-19 preventive behavior. Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between fear of COVID-19 pandemic and somatic burden was mediated by cyberchondria (effect = 0.08, bootstrapping SE = 0.01, bootstrapping 95% CI [0.08, 0.12]), but not COVID-19 preventive behavior (effect = 0.02, bootstrapping SE = 0.01, bootstrapping 95% CI [0.00, 0.05]).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that cyberchondria had negative effects on somatic burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. The knowledge of the mediating role of cyberchondria may be used by health care workers when consulting persons with physical health complaints and psychosomatic disorders.
Association of social support with cognition among older adults in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Li Benchao , Guo Yan , Deng Yan , Zhao Siqi , Li Changfeng , Yang Jiajia , Li Qiuying , Yan Yaqiong , Li Fang , Li Xiaonuan , Rong Shuang
Published: September 2022

Objective

This study aimed to examine the relationship between social support and its sub-domains and cognitive performance, and the association with cognitive impairment among older adults in China.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

We included 865 community-based individuals aged 65 and above from Hubei province, China.

Methods

The level of social support was evaluated using the social support rating scale (SSRC). The Mini-Mental State Examination was adopted to assess cognitive function, and its cut-offs were used to determine cognitive impairment among the participants. Multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to estimate the β and odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% CIs, respectively.

Results

The participants were divided into quartiles 1–4 (Q1–Q4), according to the total scores of SSRC. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and history of diseases, for MMSE scores, compared to these in Q1, the β of Q2–Q4 were −0.22 (−0.88, 0.43), 0.29 (−0.35, 0.94), and 0.86 (0.19, 1.53), respectively; For cognitive impairment, the ORs of Q2–Q4 were 1.21 (0.80, 1.82), 0.62 (0.40, 0.94), and 0.50 (0.32, 0.80), respectively. Considering SSRC scores as the continuous variable, per 1-unit increase, the β was 0.05 (0.02, 0.09) for the cognitive score, and the OR was 0.95 (0.92, 0.98) for cognitive impairment. In addition, higher levels of both subjective support and support utilization were related to better MMSE performance and lower risks of cognitive impairment.

Conclusion and implications

Among the older adults in China, as expected, there is a positive relationship between social support and cognitive performance, and high levels of social support, particularly in support utilization, were related to low risks of cognitive impairment. More social support should be provided in this population to improve cognitive function and reduce the risks of cognitive impairment.
Perception towards vaccine effectiveness in controlling COVID-19 spread in rural and urban communities: A global survey
Authors: Marzo Roy R. , Shrestha Rajeev , Sapkota Binaya , Acharya Swosti , Shrestha Nita , Pokharel Mandip , Ahmad Absar , Patalinghug Mark E. , Rahman Farzana , Salim Zahir R. , Bicer Burcu K. , Lotfizadeh Masoud , Wegdan Baniissa , Moura Villela Edlaine F. de , Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Hamza Nouran A. , Saleeb Marina R. , Respati Titik , Fitriyana Susan , Bhattacharya Sudip , Heidler Petra , Qalati Sikandar A. , Aung Yadanar , Abid Khadijah , Abeje Tayachew A. , Pokhrel Ashmita , Roien Rohullah , King Isabel , Su Tin Tin
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Several studies exhibited varying reports of perception toward vaccine effectiveness, vaccine hesitancy, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines. As this fluctuated with evidence generation, this study explored the perception toward vaccine effectiveness in rural and urban communities among various countries.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted online from April to August 2021 using convenience sampling among people from different countries approved by the Asia Metropolitan University Medical Research and Ethics. We adapted the questionnaire from the World Health Organization's (WHO) survey tool and guidance on COVID-19. The logistic regression models were performed to show perception toward vaccine effectiveness.

Results

A total of 5,673 participants responded to the online survey. Overall, 64% of participants agreed that the vaccine effectively controlled viral spread, and 23% agreed that there was no need for vaccination if others were vaccinated. Males had 14% higher odds of believing that there was no need for vaccination. Less social media users had 39% higher odds of developing the belief that there is no need for vaccination than all other people vaccinated.

Conclusion

People's perceptions toward vaccine acceptance have fluctuated with the information flow in various social media and the severity of COVID-19 cases. Therefore, it is important that the current scenario of peoples' perception toward vaccine acceptance and determinants affecting the acceptance are explored to promote the vaccination approach against COVID-19 prevention and transmission effectively.
Occupational mental health of non-family members in family firms: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Khalid , e-Habiba Umm- , Sabeen Zara , Waseem Muhammad
Published: September 2022

Family-owned firms display distinct dynamics as compared to other firms. Consequently, the outcomes and consequences of these dynamics are also expected to be different. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of perceived employee-organization psychological distance (EOPD) on the occupational mental health (OMH) of the employees. Considering the complexities associated with employee–employer relationship, the study also investigated how this relationship between PD and OMH might be mediated by psychological safety (PS) perceived by the employees. Furthermore, the study also included proactive personality (PP) as a potential moderator of the relationship between PD and OMH. Results using SEM and fsQCA show a partial mediation effect on psychological safety. The study contributes by examining the distinct nature of family firms and their impact on the mental health of non-family member employees. This study contributes to the family firm literature by adopting a novel methodological approach to unveil the complexity behind the relationship between employees and owner-employers of family firms.
Computational Transcendence: Responsibility and agency
Authors: Deshmukh Jayati , Srinivasa Srinath
Published: September 2022

Emergence of responsible behavior is explored in non-cooperative games involving autonomous agents. Rather than imposing constraints or external reinforcements, agents are endowed with an elastic “sense of self” or an elastic identity that they curate based on rational considerations. This approach is called “computational transcendence (CT).” We show that agents using this model make choices for collective welfare instead of individual benefit. First, relevance of this model in game theoretic contexts like Prisoners’ dilemma and collusion is presented. Next, a generic multi-agent framework for simulating dilemmas around responsible agency is also proposed. CT implemented on this framework, is shown to be versatile in acting responsibly to different kinds of circumstances–including modifying their strategy based on their interaction with other agents in the system as well as interacting with adversaries that are rational maximizers, and who have a rationale to exploit responsible behavior from other agents. CT is also shown to outperform reciprocity as a strategy for responsible autonomy. Thus, we present CT as a framework for building autonomous agents which can intrinsically act responsibly in multi-agent systems. The core model for computational ethics presented in this paper can potentially be adapted to the needs of applications in areas like supply chains, traffic management, and autonomous vehicles. This paper hopes to motivate further research on responsible AI, by exploring computational modeling of this elusive concept called the “sense of self” that is a central element of existential inquiry in humans.
Pollinator cultivar choice: An assessment of season-long pollinator visitation among coreopsis, aster, and salvia cultivars
Authors: Braman S. K. , Pennisi S. V. , Fair C. G. , Quick J. C.
Published: September 2022

Documented pollinator declines have encouraged the installation of pollinator plantings in residential, commercial and agricultural settings. Pollinator visitation among cultivars of coreopsis, salvia and asters was compared on 40 dates in a 2-year study resulting in 6,911 pollinator observations across all plant taxa with bees, butterflies and syrphids well-represented. Diversity of insect visitors was represented differently within the broad plant taxa salvia, coreopsis and asters. The most frequent visitors to coreopsis were the small bees with over 77% of visitors falling into this category. Salvia was most frequently visited by honey bees (36.4%) and carpenter bees (24%), although all the groups were represented. Syrphids were the group most commonly observed on asters (58.5%) with nearly 40% of the visitors being bee species. Nectar analysis was performed on salvia cultivars. However, differential attraction of pollinators to salvia cultivars could not be explained by volume of nectar produced per plant. Results from our cultivar comparisons provide data-based information to assist consumers in plant choice and present opportunities for future plant-specific pollinator census initiatives across a broader geographic range.
Foodie: Think Before You Type on Instagram!
Authors: Zimmerman Jordan , Brown-Schmidt Sarah
Published: September 2022

Wherever you look you are likely to see people on their phones, noses inches from the screen, browsing the internet, and especially spending time on social media. If you have used social media before, you know you can “like” posts, share them with friends, comment on them, and respond to what others have said. How do our brains remember social media? Do we remember social media posts better if we interact with them in some way? To study this, we asked people to view real Instagram posts and comment on some of them. Later, we tested their memory for these posts. We found that people were much more likely to remember the posts that they commented on. These results are important to consider when using social media. When we actively engage with social media, it is more likely to stick in memory, so we may need to choose wisely what we interact with to keep ourselves healthy.
Loss-cone-shift maps for the Earth’s magnetosphere
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E.
Published: September 2022

Because of finite-gyroradii effects, the atmospheric loss cone for energetic particles in the magnetosphere is shifted away from the magnetic-field direction. Using the Tsyganenko T96 magnetic-field model, maps of the magnitude of the angular shift of the loss cone are created for electrons, protons, and singly-ionized oxygen in the nightside magnetosphere. When the shift exceeds about 5°–10°, stochastic scattering of particles occurs. For protons and oxygen, this loss-cone shift is quite large, even in the dipolar portions of the magnetosphere, and stochastic scattering of protons and oxygen can occur in those regions. Hence, the ring-current ion population probably exhibits a robustly shifted loss cone and stochastic scattering in the dipole magnetosphere. For electrons, large loss-cone shifts and stochastic scattering are restricted to the magnetotail near and beyond the transition region.
Assessing the efficiency level of the “poverty alleviation through agriculture project”: A case study of fixed observation points in China
Authors: Yan Shuya , Li Lipeng , Sarkar Apurbo , Yang Guotao
Published: September 2022

In the modern era, development organizations and governments worldwide are undertaking various policies and projects to eradicate poverty. However, there is a lack of evidence that can trigger the efficiency level of those. Based on the survey data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which was acquired at rural fixed observation points across 31 provinces of China from 2012 to 2016, the study evaluates the overall efficiency, stage-specific efficiency, and indicator-based efficiency of “Poverty alleviation through agriculture projects of China”. First of all, the entire process of agricultural poverty relief is divided into two stages: (i) agricultural production and (ii) social governance. Accordingly, the study proposes a two-stage theoretical analysis framework for agricultural poverty relief and decomposes the mechanisms; it also discusses the potential for improved efficiency levels in both agricultural production efficiency and social governance efficiency. Therefore, we utilize the two-stage dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to outline the findings. The outcomes showed the efficiency level of the projects can play an important role in addressing rural poverty in China. This study's major findings are summarized as follows: (i) the overall efficiency of the projects tends to be stable undauntedly. While agricultural production efficiency is the major cause and social governance efficiency in the second stage has been a minor cause for maintaining a relatively lower level of overall efficiency. (ii) There is significant room for improving the efficiency of certain input indicators (including total labor force, productive fixed assets, and education attainment of rural labor) and intermediate variables (i.e., income gap of village households). However, limited room has been found for certain output indicators (including the total output of grain, the poverty elimination index, and an aggregate index of social harmony). Thus, in China, poverty alleviation projects should be revitalized and targeted instead of concentrated. It is required to advance a long-term structure for rural poverty and promote the smooth transition of poverty alleviation projects and working criteria. Moreover, the government should strengthen the top-level design for addressing the relative poverty problem and incorporate it into the rural revitalization strategy.
Scalp block for postoperative pain after craniotomy: A meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Chen Yanting , Ni Jianqiang , Li Xiang , Zhou Jialei , Chen Gang
Published: September 2022

Background

Postoperative pain after craniotomy is an important clinical concern because it might lead to brain hyperemia and elevated intracranial pressure. Considering the side effects of opioid, several studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of local anesthetics, especially the scalp block, on postoperative pain. However, the strength of evidence supporting this practice for postoperative pain after craniotomy was unclear and the best occasion of scalp block was also not identified. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and the best occasion of scalp block for postoperative pain after craniotomy.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases from database inception to October 10, 2021 were searched for all randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of scalp block on postoperative pain after craniotomy. Data were assessed by StataMP 16 software.

Results

A total of 12 studies were included. A random-effect model was used to analyze all data. Patients under scalp block earned fewer scores than the non-scalp block group in visual analogue scale at the very early period (MD = −1.97, 95% CI = −3.07 to −0.88), early period (MD = −1.84, 95% CI = −2.95 to −0.73) and intermediate period (MD = −1.16, 95% CI = −1.84 to −0.49). Scalp block could also significantly prolong the time of the first request of rescue analgesia and reduce the use of additional analgesics without a significant difference in the incidence of complications. Subgroup analysis showed there was no significant difference in analgesia effect between pre-incision scalp block and post-incision scalp block in all periods.

Conclusion

Scalp block could lead to lower pain intensity scores, more time of the first request of rescue analgesia, and fewer analgesic drugs applied in the first 12 h after craniotomy. There was no significant difference between pre-incision and post-incision scalp block in the occurrence and severity of postoperative pain.
Removing the Graduate Record Examination as an Admissions Requirement Does Not Impact Student Success
Authors: Sullivan Lisa M. , Velez Amanda A. , Longe Nikki , Larese Ann Marie , Galea Sandro
Published: September 2022

Background: The predictive validity of components of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) on student success is inconsistent, and the test itself has been shown to be a barrier for prospective students historically underrepresented in graduate programs.

Policy Options and Recommendations: We analyzed three admissions cycles for the Master of Public Health degree at the Boston University School of Public Health before (2016, 2017, 2018) and after (2019, 2020, 2021) eliminating the GRE for diversity and quality of applications, student success, and employment outcomes. We observed increases in diversity (e.g., 7.1% and 7.0% self-identified as African American/Black and Hispanic before eliminating the GRE as compared to 8.5% and 8.2% after), but no loss of quality, as measured by undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) (e.g., median undergraduate GPA before and after eliminating the GRE of 3.4). We also saw no difference in performance in required core courses (e.g., more than 93.5% of students earned passing grades in required courses before and 94.5% after eliminating the GRE) and graduate employment (i.e., 93.1% employed within 6 months of graduation before and 93.8% after eliminating the GRE). We recommend removing the GRE as an admission requirement for the MPH as a step toward diversifying the public health workforce. This change alone is necessary but insufficient. We also need to develop support programs, tailored specifically to the needs of our future students, to ensure their success.

Conclusion: Eliminating the GRE as an admissions requirement for prospective students does not result in loss of student quality or worse program performance.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity of the Medicinal and Aromatic Crop, Amomum tsao-ko, Using PAAP and CDDP Markers
Authors: Ma Mengli , Yan Zhenhua , Lu Bingyue
Published: September 2022

Amomum tsao-ko (Zingiberaceae) is a well-known medicinal and aromatic crop with a long history of cultivation in China. Food and pharmaceutical industries widely use its dried ripe fruit. In this study, 12 promoter anchored amplified polymorphism (PAAP) primer pairs and 12 conserved DNA-derived polymorphism (CDDP) primers were used to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 96 A. tsao-ko accessions from eight cultivated populations. A total of 98 polymorphic loci were detected by 12 PAAP primers with 8.167 polymorphic loci per primer, and 203 polymorphic loci were observed using 12 CDDP primers with 16.92 alleles per primer. Nei’s gene diversity (PAAP, H = 0.207; CDDP, H = 0.188) and Shannon’s information index (PAAP, I = 0.329; CDDP, I = 0.305) revealed the relatively high level of genetic diversity in these populations of A. tsao-ko. The genetic differentiation coefficient (Gst) for the populations was 0.151 (PAAP) and 0.128 (CDDP), which indicated that 84.9% and 87.2%, respectively, of the genetic variation was within populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) also revealed that genetic differentiation of the A. tsao-ko populations mainly occurred within populations (91% variation within populations for both PAAP and CDDP). Genetic identity among the investigated populations was high for PAAP (0.957) and CDDP (0.967). Cluster and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) grouped the 96 A. tsao-ko accessions into two major groups. Accession classification was consistent with population structure analysis. Overall, these results will be useful for A. tsao-ko germplasm resource characterization, conservation, and utilization.
Influence of Recurrent Rolling/Crimping of a Cereal Rye/Crimson Clover Cover Crop on No-Till Bush Bean Yield
Authors: Kornecki Ted S. , Kichler Corey M.
Published: September 2022

A no-till experiment was conducted in Auburn, AL U.S.A. to evaluate the effectiveness of an experimental two-stage roller/crimper in reoccurring rolling over the same area planted with a cereal rye/crimson clover cover crop mix and its influence on bush bean yield. Cover crop termination was much greater with rolling/crimping when compared to the non-rolled (untreated) control. During the three growing seasons, rolling three times had significantly higher termination rates compared to all other treatments, exceeding 90% in 2020. These results suggest that there may be an advantage to rolling/crimping three times so that planting of the cash crop could potentially be performed one week earlier, under favorable soil moisture conditions. However, for growing seasons 2018 and 2020 at three weeks after rolling, there were no differences between rolling treatments. In 2019, rolling three times over the same cover crop area was the only treatment that achieved above 90% termination rate indicating a clear advantage of recurring rolling/crimping in 2019. Rolling/crimping proved to be effective as yield was significantly higher compared to not rolled when averaged over all three growing seasons. This is possible due to the difficulty in planting into a standing cover crop which could have negative effects on seed to soil contact, but more importantly explained with the slight soil moisture advantage given to the rolled plots over the standing cover crop plots. Thus, optimum soil moisture when planting beans is key for successful germination and good main crop stand.
Mentha aquatica L. Populations from the Hyrcanian Hotspot: Volatile Oil Profiles and Morphological Diversity
Authors: Hassanpouraghdam Mohammad Bagher , Mohammadzadeh Ahmad , Morshedloo Mohammad Reza , Asadi Mohammad , Rasouli Farzad , Vojodi Mehrabani Lamia , Najda Agnieszka
Published: September 2022

Mentha aquatica L. (Lamiaceae) is found in different parts of Iran. Its essential oil and preparations regulate bile function and are used as a stomach tonic and disinfectant. This study investigates the morphological and essential oil diversity of M. aquatica populations from the Hyrcanian hotspot of Iran. Plant samples were collected from Gilan, Golestan, and Mazandaran provinces in the Caspian Region for analysis. The results showed significant differences among the studied ecotypes for the stem diameter, collar diameter, number of inflorescences, length and width of inflorescence, sepal diameter, sepal length, and secondary stem length number. Principal component analysis showed that the first seven principal components explained 90.6% of the total variation. Moreover, essential oil concentration varied widely from 1.13% for a sample from Behshahr-Mazandaran, down to 0.27% for one from Abbas abad-Mazandaran. GC–MS analysis identified 29 constituents that accounted for 91% of the total essential oil. The main components of the essential oil were menthofuran (13.21–52.46%), 1,8-cineole (12.42–25.55%), (E)-caryophyllene (3.18–15.43%), viridiflorol (1.04–11.16%), germacrene D (1.70–8.29%), caryophyllene oxide (0.51–4.96%), neryl acetate (1.11–4.95%), p-cymene (1.55–4.77%), and β-pinene (1.7–3.45%). Overall, meaningful diversity was recorded among the populations; Rahimabad-Gilan and Behshahr-Mazandaran would be reliable selections for the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their higher yields and content of α-pinene, 1, 8-cineole, menthofuran, viridiflorol, and β-caryophyllene. Further evaluation of populations from diverse habitats is needed to guide future breeding programs.
Assessment of Polluted Soil Remediation Using Bacterial Community Tolerance to Heavy Metals as an Indicator
Authors: Campillo-Cora Claudia , Soto-Gómez Diego , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Fernández-Calviño David
Published: September 2022

The assessment of remediation on metal-polluted soils is usually focused on total and/or bioavailable metal content. However, these chemical variables do not provide direct information about reductions in heavy metals pressure on soil microorganisms. We propose the use of bacterial communities to evaluate the efficiency of three remediation techniques: crushed mussel shell (CMS) and pine bark (PB) as soil amendments and EDTA-washing. A soil sample was polluted with different doses of Cu, Ni, and Zn (separately). After 30 days of incubation, the remediation techniques were applied, and bacterial community tolerance to heavy metals determined. If bacterial communities develop tolerance, it is an indicator that the metal is exerting toxicity on them. Soil bacterial communities developed tolerance to Cu, Ni, and Zn in response to metal additions. After remediation, bacterial communities showed decreases in bacterial community tolerance to Cu, Ni, and Zn for all remediation techniques. For Cu and Ni, soil EDTA-washing showed the greatest reduction of bacterial community tolerance to Cu and Ni, respectively, while for Zn the soil amendment with PB was the most effective remediation technique. Thus, bacterial community tolerance to heavy metals successfully detect differences in the effectiveness of the three remediation techniques.
UAV Multispectral Data: A Reliable Approach for Managing Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria in Common Bean
Authors: de Souza Antonia Erica Santos , Barbosa Júnior Marcelo Rodrigues , de Almeida Moreira Bruno Rafael , da Silva Rouverson Pereira , Lemos Leandro Borges
Published: September 2022

Remote sensing can offer stakeholders opportunities to make precise and accurate decisions on agricultural activities. For instance, farmers can exploit aircraft systems to acquire survey-level, high-resolution imagery data for crop and soil management. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze whether an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) allows for the assessment and monitoring of biofertilization of the common bean upon vegetation indices (VIs). The biological treatment of the legume crop included its inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), namely Bacillus subtilis and B. megaterium. Indicators of photosynthetic performance, such as chlorophylls (a and b) and carotenoids, were measured from actively growing leaves to determine effectiveness. In addition, images were acquired in the field, both spatially and temporally, to establish functional relationships between biometric and computational features. Microorganisms manifested as growth-promoting agents to the crop as they significantly increased its quantities of light-harvesting pigments. VIs allowed for predicting their impact on photosynthetic performance, making them on-site markers of PSB. Therefore, this research can provide insights into the remote, non-destructive mapping of spectral changes in the common bean upon the application of PSB. Imagery data from UAV would enable producers to generate information on the crop to intervene in the field at the right time and place for improved utilization of biofertilizers.
Genotype Selection, and Seed Uniformity and Multiplication to Ensure Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) var. Liborino
Authors: Peláez Diana , Aguilar Paula A. , Mercado Mariana , López-Hernández Felipe , Guzmán Manuel , Burbano-Erazo Esteban , Denning-James Kate , Medina Clara I. , Blair Matthew W. , De Vega José J. , Cortés Andrés J.
Published: September 2022

Seed uniformity and stability testing, and multiplication, are key steps in the seed supply chain of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and other crops. Optimizing agronomical practices in these phases can ultimately ensure seed quality and availability, and germplasm prospective utilization. However, farmers have rarely standardized seed testing and propagation protocols in local common bean landraces conserved in situ. An example of this is the Liborino variety (var.), a promising yellow Andean common bean known for its presumably high digestibility and adaptation to the local conditions of the Cauca river canyon (northwest Andes of Colombia), but likely experiencing genetic erosion after decades of suboptimal propagation. Therefore, this work intended to evaluate and select locally adapted genotypes of common bean var. Liborino for commercial use, to be later multiplied, evaluated by participatory breeding, and eventually shared with farmers. Specifically, we evaluated 44 accessions of var. Liborino common bean in six adaption and yield field trials in the Cauca river canyon at 1100 and 1400 m a.s.l, and in AGROSAVIA’s “La Selva” research station at 2100 m a.s.l. In parallel, we carried out standardized seed multiplication of a Liborino genotype using best practices to guarantee uniformity and stability. From the 44 accessions, nine were well adapted to the tested local conditions. Four of these accessions exhibited a bush type growth habit, while the remaining five were climbers. The trials revealed maximum average extrapolated yields of up to 1169.4 ± 228.4 kg ha−1 for the bush types (G8152) and up to 1720.0 ± 588.4 kg ha−1 for the climbers (G51018), both at 2100 m a.s.l. Three climbing accessions matched farmers’ expectations for seed coat color and shape, according to a participatory selection exercise. Uniform and stable seed of the selected genotype was delivered in 2022 to 39 farmers, ~6.5 kg of seeds per farmer. Our results will allow implementing bean genetic improvement pipelines, promoting var. Liborino commercialization, and boosting the economic and sustainable development of the rural communities in the Cauca river canyon. Seed uniformity testing and multiplication pipelines must be extended to other bean landraces conserved in situ.
Economic Assessment of Food Legumes Breeding in China: Evidence Using a Provincial Level Dataset
Authors: Ma Jiliang , Zhang Huijie , Khan Nawab , Tian Jing , Wang Lixia , Wu Jing , Cheng Xuzhen , Chen Xin , Liu Yujiao , He Yuhua , Ren Guixing , Liu Changyan , Xia Xianfei , Guo Yanping , Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhou Bin , Liu Zhenxing , Lian Rongfang
Published: September 2022

Advances in crop breeding techniques and economic evaluation are critical to ensuring and improving crop yields and sustainable development. Based on the provincial data on food legumes breeding (FLB) in China from 2001 to 2020, the research and development (R&D) expenditure distribution, FLB contribution rate, and R&D expenditure on FLB were estimated. The economic benefits of output per unit area and R&D expenses were evaluated, and relevant policy suggestions were put forward. The study found that: (i) the R&D expenditure on FLB’s showed a significant upward trend, and the development can be divided into a starting, stable, and rapid growth period. There were significant differences in R&D expenditures across eight provinces of China with relatively high R&D expenditures for FLB; (ii) the R&D expenditure on FLB had a significant lag in the improvement of per mu yield (1 mu = 0.067 hectares). For every 10,000 yuan increase in R&D funding for FLB, the yield per mu will increase by 0.145 kg/mu in the next five years, and the regional spillover effect of breeding costs is significant; and (iii) the marginal revenue of R&D expenditures FLB from 2008 to 2020 is 34.91 yuan, that is, every 1 yuan invested in breeding R&D can bring a short-term marginal revenue of 34.91 yuan and a long-term marginal revenue of 337.23 yuan. Based on the above analysis, some recommendations were proposed and discussed, including further increasing the R&D investment of FLB, strengthening industry–university–research cooperation in breeding, improving the breeding research system, and promoting the multi-dimensional development of FLB industry–university–research services.
How Does Long-Term Organic Matter Treatment Affect the Biological Activity of a Centre European Forest Soil?
Authors: Kotroczó Zsolt , Kocsis Tamás , Juhos Katalin , Halász Judit , Fekete István
Published: September 2022

A significant portion of the increase in atmospheric CO2 enters the environment through a decrease in the level of organic matter (SOM) in soils. One of the reasons for this is the cutting of forests and the conversion of growing areas into arable land, thus changing land use. As a result, SOM today only has approx. 70–80% of the period before the spread of intensive farming. For the long-term study of the effect of varying amounts of SOM, we set up experimental plots for litter manipulation in 2000. In the course of our investigations, we studied how changing the amount of organic matter input the soil affects the CO2 emissions of the soil and its closely related biological activity after five or ten years, in addition to the continuous maintenance of the treatments. According to our assumption, after 10 years, the biological activity of the soil will decrease as a result of the removal treatment of organic matter, and the biological activity will increase as a result of the doubling. The pH value of the soil shifted in the acidic direction over 10 years as a result of the removal of organic matter, while it did not change as a result of the increase. In the first year, we could not detect any significant differences in the enzyme activity values. From our later results, we found that a drastic reduction in the amount of leaf litter has a greater effect on soil enzyme activity and soil respiration to a greater extent than an increase in litter production above natural levels. The pH of the soil was as expected, with litter withdrawal shifting the pH towards acidic over the years.
Unveiling the Impacts of Biochar, Manure and Their Optimal Combinations on Microbiological Soil Health Indicators and Lettuce Biomass
Authors: Mustafa Adnan , Holatko Jiri , Hammerschmiedt Tereza , Kucerik Jiri , Baltazar Tivadar , Kintl Antonin , Malicek Ondrej , Havlicek Zdenek , Brtnicky Martin
Published: September 2022

Continuous use of chemical fertilizers has deteriorated soil health and crop productivity. Replenishing soil nutrients and microbial activity with eco-friendly soil amendments such as biochar and manure is therefore necessary to sustain soil health for crop production. However, studies are limited regarding the evaluation of biochar and poultry manure effects on soil health, attributed mainly to microbial extracellular enzymes and respiration. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of poultry manure and biochar on soil physico-chemical and microbiological properties and lettuce biomass accumulation in a pot experiment. The pots were amended with poultry manure either alone and or in combination with low (10%) and high (20%) rates of biochar. The treatments included were; (i) control, (ii) manure alone (M), (iii) manure plus 10% biochar (M + B10, and (iv) manure plus 20% biochar (M + B20). Results revealed that soil extracellular enzymes related to C, N, and P mineralization, soil basal (BR), and substrate induced respirations (SIR) were significantly affected by applied manure and manure–biochar. However, there were large differences observed for applied amendments regarding various soil and crop parameters. Specifically, the manure combined with a high rate of biochar (M + B20) enhanced total carbon (TC) content, dehydrogenase activity (DHA), BR, and all SIRs except Arginine-IR. On the other hand, manure combined with a low rate of biochar (M + B10) resulted in enhanced lettuce aboveground dry biomass (AGB-dry). The manure treatment alone (M), however, proved to be the most influential treatment in improving soil enzymes (β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase and phosphatase) involved in C, N, and P mineralization compared to the other treatments and control. Thus, it was concluded that the sole application of M and M + B20 improved both fertility and soil health, which therefore could be a promising direction for the future to enhance soil quality and crop productivity.
Effects of Compound Feed Attractants on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Intestinal Histology, Protein Synthesis, and Immune Response of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei)
Authors: He Guilun , Chen Xin , Zeng Qingtian , Zhu Wenbo , Chen Zhengbang , Tan Beiping , Xie Shiwei
Published: September 2022

To investigate the effects of compound attractants on the growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal morphology, protein synthesis, and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei, the following seven diets were formulated: a positive control (P), a negative control (N), and five diets with compound attractants which were labeled as A, B, C, D, and E, each with four of five tested attractants (yeast extract, squid visceral powder, fish soluble, and squid paste, shrimp paste), respectively. Shrimp (0.71 ± 0.00 g) were distributed to seven groups of four replicates and fed for 7 weeks. Results showed that the final body weight, feed intake, specific growth rate, and weight gain of shrimp in the B and D groups were the greatest. Hemolymph total antioxidant capacity of shrimp in the B, D, and E groups reached the highest level. In the hepatopancreas, the activity of total nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde content, the expression levels of sod, myd88, eif4e2, and raptor in shrimp fed the B diet were the highest, and the highest levels of dorsal and relish were observed in the C group. In the intestine, intestinal muscle thickness and expression levels of toll and eif2α in the C group were the highest, while the highest expression level of sod and relish occurred in the B group. In summary, the B and E diets promoted the feed intake, growth performance and the antioxidant enzyme activity of L. vannamei. The C diet enhanced the protein synthesis of shrimp. Regression analysis indicated that the WG and FI of shrimp were increased as the dietary inclusion levels of squid paste and shrimp paste increased, while they were decreased as the dietary inclusion levels of yeast extract and fish soluble increased.