bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance for Yield and Related Traits in Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch ex Poir)
Authors: Neha  , Singh Ajeet , Singh Manish Kumar , Singh Himanshu , Kumar Sunil , Dwivedi Varun , Dwivedi S.V. , Mishra A.C. 
Published: January 2025

A study on pumpkin genotypes was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology during the 2022 Kharif season. This study aimed to assess genetic variability, genotype performance, variation coefficients, heritability, and percentage genetic advance for pumpkin genotypes. Genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance are critical parameters in plant breeding, as they help identify traits with potential for improvement through selection. This experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with three replications to evaluate 18 pumpkin genotypes. The mean sum of squares attributed to genotypes exhibited significant differences (p < 0.01) across all characters, indicating pronounced genetic variability. Furthermore, phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) coefficients of variation were remarkably high for most quantitative traits male/female bud ratio (PCV=37.90% and GCV=37.65%) followed by pericarp/seed ball ratio (PCV=31.39% and GCV= 31.07%) fruit yield (PCV=27.48% and GCV= 26.22%), vine length (PCV=22.14% and GCV=21.85%) and leaf area (PCV=20.73% and GCV=20.31%). The investigation demonstrated high heritability (h²) and genetic advance (GA) for the majority of assessed traits namely male/female bud ratio (98.65%) followed by pericarp/seed ball ratio (98.02%), vine length (97.35%), leaf area (95.95%). The genotypes VRPK-22-04, Kashi Harit and Arka Chandan exhibited superior yield performance. Notably, VRPK-2201 and VRPK-02-07 exhibited early maturity and reasonable yields, rendering them suitable cultivars for the Bundelkhand region.
Topsoil removal for Sphagnum establishment on rewetted agricultural bogs
Authors: Käärmelahti Sannimari A. , Fritz Christian , Quadra Gabrielle R. , Gardoki Maider Erize , Gaudig Greta , Krebs Matthias , Temmink Ralph J. M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRewetting drained agricultural peatlands aids in restoring their original ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and sustaining unique biodiversity. 30–60 cm of topsoil removal (TSR) before rewetting for Sphagnum establishment is a common practice to reduce nutrient concentrations and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase water conductivity. However, the topsoil is carbon-dense and preservation in situ would be favorable from a climate-mitigation perspective. The effect of reduced TSR on Sphagnum establishment and nutrient dynamics on degraded and rewetted raised bogs remains to be elucidated. We conducted a two-year field experiment under Sphagnum paludiculture management with three TSR depths: no-removal (TSR0), 5–10 cm (TSR5), and 30 cm (TSR30) removal. We tested the effects of TSR on Sphagnum establishment and performance, nutrient dynamics, and hotspot methane emissions. After two years, TSR5 produced similar Sphagnum biomass as TSR30, while vascular plant biomass was highest in TSR0. All capitula nitrogen (N > 12 mg/g) indicated N-saturation. Phosphorus (P) was not limiting (N/P < 30), but a potential potassium (K) limitation was observed in year one (N/K > 3). In TSR0, ammonium concentrations were > 150 µmol/l in year one, but decreased by 80% in year two. P-concentrations remained high (c. 100 µmol/l) at TSR0 and TSR5, and remained low at TSR30. TSR30 and TSR5 reduced hotspot methane emissions relative to TSR0. We conclude that all TSR practices have their own advantages and disadvantages with respect to Sphagnum growth, nutrient availability and vegetation development. While TSR5 may be the most suitable for paludiculture, its applicability for restoration purposes remains to be elucidated. Setting prioritized targets when selecting the optimal TSR with peatland rewetting is pivotal.
Motivations for participation in green crowdfunding: Evidence from the UK
Authors: Adamska-Mieruszewska Joanna , Zientara Piotr , Mrzygłód Urszula , Fornalska Anna 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the sociopsychological mechanisms influencing the inclination to provide financial support for environmentally-oriented crowdfunding initiatives. It considers participation in these campaigns as a form of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) and applies two theoretical frameworks, namely the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the value-belief-norm theory (VBN), to to assess their effectiveness in explaining the intention to support such projects. The results demonstrate that both TPB and VBN theories can elucidate the intention to support green crowdfunding projects. However, TPB displays a stronger explanatory capacity compared to VBN, highlighting its suitability in explaining higher-cost PEB activities, like contributing to green campaigns, as suggested in this study. Nevertheless, it is important to note that, as anticipated by the VBN theory, values, norms and beliefs also contribute to the intention to support such projects.
Structural and optical characterization of beta-gallium oxide
Authors: Muramba Valentine W. , Ali Abdulraoof I. A. , Nel Jacqueline M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDemands for cheaper solar cells have led researchers to less complex, low-temperature, vacuum-free thin-film deposition processes, like spray pyrolysis and sol–gel spin coating. Previous studies of β-Ga2O3 thin-film deposition have used aqueous solutions of gallium nitrate which have strong tendencies to form hydroxide precipitates. This leads to the blockage of spray gun nozzles. To avoid precipitation, tetrahydroxogallate (III) ammonium was used as a novelty precursor in this study for the synthesis of β-Ga2O3. In the spray pyrolysis technique, the precursor was deposited on sapphire substrates at 200 ℃, with a carrier gas pressure of 200 kPa. The same precursor, with added monoethanolamine to enhance viscosity, was used in the spin coating method. A polycrystalline β-Ga2O3 structure was obtained by post-annealing films at 750 ℃ in ambient air. The spin-coated films with thicknesses ranging from 165 to 354 nm exhibited an average crystallite size of 17.78 nm and an optical band gap range between 4.80 eV and 4.95 eV. Films produced by spray pyrolysis had thicknesses ranging between 158 and 255 nm, an average crystallite size of 17.55 nm, and a band gap ranging between 4.69 eV and 4.93 eV. From Raman spectroscopy, the molecular vibrational modes Ag and Bg were detected, featuring three blue shifts and two red shifts. Films showed a UV-blue region originating from oxygen and gallium vacancies in the lattice, an important characteristic for good photodetectors and vital for solar cell passivation. When utilizing β-Ga2O3 as dielectric coating, the refractive index between air and solar cells is reduced, enhancing solar energy absorption. Similar results were obtained for both synthesis techniques confirming the reliability of the methods.
A Review of the Constitutive Modelling of Metals and Alloys in Machining Process
Authors: Bakhshan Hadi , Oñate Eugenio , Carbonell i Puigbó Josep Maria 
Published: November 2023

AbstractConventional machining still represents a predominant manufacturing process for the production of metal parts. During the last few decades, extensive research has been conducted to develop predictive models to capture complex material response during the machining process. Understanding the plastic behavior of the metals and alloys during machining operations has a great significance for researchers and engineers in both academia and industry. This paper thoroughly reviews the constitutive material models that have been employed thus far in the conventional machining studies. The aim of the paper is to present all significant constitutive models focusing the discussion on the most frequently used. First, we introduce the phenomenological models that depend on the deformation variables including strain, strain rate and temperature. Several extended versions proposed in the literature of these types of models will be reviewed. The techniques to identify the material constant parameters will also be discussed. Second, the proposed physical-based models, a kind of model that relies on the evolution of internal state variables, including dislocation density and grain size, will be addressed. Following that, novel data-driven based constitutive models are briefly debated to highlight their capabilities in order to be exploited in machining analysis. Finally, a concise overview and perspectives for future research efforts are outlined.
Impact of maternal cardiometabolic status after bariatric surgery on the association between telomere length and adiposity in offspring
Authors: San-Cristobal Rodrigo , de Toro-Martín Juan , Guénard Frédéric , Pérusse Louis , Biron Simon , Marceau Simon , Lafortune Payette Annie , Vohl Marie-Claude 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe impact of bariatric surgery on metabolic and inflammatory status are reflected in the epigenetic profile and telomere length mediated by the changes in the metabolic status of the patients. This study compared the telomere length of children born before versus after maternal bariatric surgery as a surrogate to test the influence of the mother’s metabolic status on children’s telomere length. DNA methylation telomere length (DNAmTL) was estimated from Methylation-EPIC BeadChip array data from a total of 24 children born before and after maternal bariatric surgery in the greater Quebec City area. DNAmTL was inversely associated with chronological age in children (r = − 0.80, p < 0.001) and significant differences were observed on age-adjusted DNAmTL between children born before versus after the maternal bariatric surgery. The associations found between body mass index and body fat percentage with DNAmTL in children born after the surgery were influenced by maternal triglycerides, TG/HDL-C ratio and TyG index. This study reports the impact of maternal bariatric surgery on offspring telomere length. The influence of maternal metabolic status on the association between telomere length and markers of adiposity in children suggests a putative modulating effect of bariatric surgery on the cardiometabolic risk in offspring.
Thyme extract could overcome diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative damage and increasing the expression of insulin receptor substrate and pyruvate kinase in the rat sperm
Authors: Raeeszadeh Mahdieh , Shokrollahi Borhan , Akbari Abolfazl , Masumi Sima , Amiri Ali Akbar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Objectives
Oxidative stress and disruption of energy metabolism in the reproductive system, especially sperm, play a significant role in diabetes-related infertility. Zataria multiflora Boissis (ZMB), a medicinal plant containing various bioactive compounds, may have efficacy in treating metabolic diseases and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of ZMB extract on diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by assessing oxidative damage and the gene expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and pyruvate kinase (PK) in male rats’ sperm.

Methods
Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups; control (C), diabetes (D), and diabetic animals treated with glibenclamide (G, 50 mg/kg) and thyme extract (T100, T200, and T400). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg). Insulin, glucose, oxidative and pro-inflammatory markers in the serum, and gene expressions of IRS, and PK were measured in the stored sperms in the epididymis. Changes in the process of spermatogenesis were assessed through the histological evaluation of the testis. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to analyze the quantity and quality of thyme extract.

Key findings
The study results indicated that body weight, food intake, and sperm parameters significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner in the T200 group compared to the other groups. Additionally, in the same group, pro-inflammatory biomarkers, DNA fragmentation, and MDA levels decreased, while the levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes in the stored epididymal sperm significantly improved compared to the other groups. The expression of IRS and PK, along with the mean counts of spermatogenesis cell lines (especially Sertoli cells), significantly increased in the T200 group.

Summary
In conclusion, thymol appears to alleviate diabetes-induced reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative damage, improving the metabolic state, and upregulating the expression of IRS and PK genes in the sperm of male rats.
3 Hours of Intermittent Hypoxia Increases Circulating Glucose Levels in Healthy Adults
Authors: Newhouse Lauren Pearl , Joyner Michael J , Curry Timothy B , Limberg Jacqueline K 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundWe have previously shown that the carotid body chemoreceptors play an important role in glucoregulation. When the carotid bodies are experimentally desensitized in humans, counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia are attenuated. Whether carotid body activation conversely increases circulating glucose levels was previously unexamined. We hypothesize plasma glucose levels would be increased in young healthy adults after carotid body activation via acute intermittent hypoxia.MethodsSeven (6M/1F, 21–34 years) healthy, non‐obese, non‐diabetic, subjects without sleep apnea completed 2 visits randomized to 3‐hours of intermittent hypoxia or continuous normoxia. Oxygen saturation and ventilation (turbine ventilation flow transducer) were measured continuously. Plasma glucose levels and carotid body chemosensitivity (hypoxic ventilatory response, HVR) were measured before and after the 3‐hour protocol. Intermittent hypoxia consisted of 25‐s exposures to hypoxic gas (0.05 FiO2) separated by 2‐min of room air breathing, resulting in 25‐events per hour in which oxygen saturation was significantly reduced (Normoxia: 97%, Hypoxia: 89%, p<0.01).ResultsNo changes in plasma glucose (93 vs 93 mg/dL, p=0.92) or HVR (−0.35 vs. −0.39 L/min/%SpO2, p=0.56) were observed after 3‐hours of continuous normoxia. In contrast, circulating glucose levels and chemosensitivity increased after intermittent hypoxia when compared to baseline (92 vs 97 mg/dL, p<0.01) and (−0.39 vs −0.60 L/min/%SpO2, p=0.04), respectively. Additionally, the rise in glucose was significantly correlated with the rise in carotid body chemosensitivity (R=0.38, p=0.05).ConclusionCirculating glucose levels increased after 3‐hours of intermittent hypoxia. The significant relationship between HVR and circulating glucose suggests that the carotid bodies may play a role in altered glucose handling. These findings may have important implications for the high prevalence of diabetes in patients with sleep apnea.Support or Funding InformationDK90541, HL120570
Enhanced skeletal muscle metaboreflex activation in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mizuno Masaki , Holwerda Seth H , Mitchell Jere H , Smith Scott A , Fadel Paul J 
Published: November 2023

The effects of insulin on the central nervous system are becoming increasingly recognized. However, the impact of insulin resistance, as in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, on neural cardiovascular control mechanisms remains unclear. Herein, we examined the blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic responses to activation of metabolically sensitive skeletal muscle afferents (i.e., muscle metaboreflex) in T2D patients (post exercise ischemia (PEI) following 40% maximum voluntary contraction isometric handgrip) and in Sprague Dawley rats with low‐dose streptozotocin and high‐fat diet induced T2D (hindlimb intra‐arterial capsaicin administration, 1 μg/100 μL). T2D patients exhibited exaggerated BP and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) responses during PEI compared to age, and bodyweight matched healthy controls (muscle SNA: T2D, Δ31.7 ± 4.9 vs. Control, Δ16.7 ± 3.6 burst/100 heartbeats, P=0.04). Likewise, in T2D rats, BP and renal SNA responses to capsaicin infusion were augmented compared to normal Sprague Dawley rats (renal SNA: T2D, 432 ± 133 vs. Control, 83 ± 25 units, P=0.003). In the T2D patient study, the greater pressor and muscle SNA response to PEI appeared to be related to insulin resistance (HOMA IR: mean BP, R=0.42, P=0.07; muscle SNA, r=0.602, P=0.006). To better understand the impact of these results, intra‐cerebroventricular (ICV) insulin injection was performed in Sprague Dawley rats. ICV insulin did not affect the pressor responses to muscle contraction. Collectively, these preliminary findings suggest that muscle metaboreflex activation is augmented in T2D and changes in insulin in the central nervous system may not be a primary mechanism.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH‐088422 (S.A.S) and AHA‐20160072 (P.J.F.)
VO2max is Restored after Prolonged Exposure to Moderate Altitude
Authors: Heinicke Katja , Heinicke Ilmar , Jelkmann Wolfgang , Rawlings Pablo , Behn Claus , Gassmann Max 
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate if prolonged training at moderate altitude leads to complete acclimatization of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and if physical activity at this altitude promotes additional skeletal muscle adaption. VO2max and biochemical analysis in biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle were determined in nine moderately trained endurance athletes (A) and six inactive control subjects (C) during 6 weeks altitude training at 2800 m. VO2max was decreased after 1 day of altitude exposure compared with baseline values at 670 m in A (44.4 ± 4.2 ml·kg−1·min−1 vs. 50.1 ± 4.1, p ≤ 0.01) and C (38.7 ± 5.0 ml·kg−1·min−1 vs. 42.1 ± 4.6, p ≤ 0.05), and was completely restored after 44 days at altitude in both groups (A, 50.0 ± 5.7 ml·kg−1·min−1; C, 42.8 ± 5.1). Upon return from altitude, VO2max increased as compared to the baseline values in A (55.4 ± 6.3 ml·kg−1·min−1, p ≤ 0.001), and C (44.7 ± 5.4, ml·kg−1·min−1, p ≤ 0.001). Muscle buffer capacity was increased after altitude exposure in both groups with no differences between the groups (A, p ≤ 0.01; C, p = 0.06; altitude vs. baseline values), whereas the activity of the mitochondrial enzymes citrate synthase and 3‐hydroxyl‐CoA‐dehydrogenase remained unchanged. In conclusion, VO2max was restored to baseline values after 6 weeks at 2800 m and muscle buffer capacity was improved in both moderately trained athletes and in inactive controls, suggesting that exercise does not affect the acclimatization process.Support or Funding InformationThis work has been supported by the Eidgenössische Sportkommission (ESK) of the Bundesamtes for Sport (BASPO), Fensterfabrik Albisrieden, Zurich, Switzerland (U. & G. Frei), and the Cortex Biophysik GmbH, Leipzig, Germany.
Mechanically Overloaded Plantaris Muscles Display Ectopic Sarcolipin Expression that is Required for Myofiber Hypertrophy and Remodelling
Authors: Fajardo Val Andrew , Rietze Bradley A , Chambers Paige J , Quadrilatero Joe , Tupling A. Russell 
Published: November 2023

Sarcolipin (SLN) is a regulator of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) pump and is critical in mediating muscle based thermogenesis and combating diet‐induced obesity. Unpublished work from our laboratory has shown that SLN may be important in maintaining muscle mass. Specifically, in phospholamban overexpressing mice (PlnOE), a mouse model that accurately recapitulates human centronuclear myopathy and exhibits severe muscle atrophy, we found that genetic deletion of Sln exaggerated the loss in soleus muscle size. As this reduction in muscle size was associated with a failure to promote type II fiber hypertrophy and fast‐to‐slow fiber type shifts, we questioned whether Sln deletion would also lead to similar defects in mechanically overloaded plantaris muscles that normally undergo comparable adaptations. To this end, we mechanically overloaded plantaris muscles from wild‐type (WT) and Sln‐null (SlnKO) mice for 2 weeks by performing soleus and gastrocnemius tenotomy. Strikingly, after 2 weeks of adaptation, the plantaris muscles from WT muscles displayed ectopic expression of SLN. This is particularly impressive since SLN's expression is typically restricted to slow‐oxidative muscles from the adult mouse. Furthermore, after two weeks of mechanical overload, the WT plantaris myofibers displayed significant hypertrophy (+22% to +48%, P < 0.0001) and fast‐to‐slow fiber type transitions with a significant increase in type I(P = 0.03) and type IIA (P = 0.05) fiber proportions, respectively; however, these adaptations to mechanical overload were not observed in SlnKO mice. Since calcineurin signaling is largely responsible for the cellular adaptations that occur with the mechanical overload stimulus, we examined the phosphorylation status of its well‐known substrate, nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (pNFAT). Strikingly, WT overloaded plantaris muscles showed significantly lower pNFAT compared with WT sham (−61%, P = 0.01), whereas pNFAT in overloaded SlnKO plantaris muscles was not significantly different from SlnKO sham (P = 0.11). Taken together, these results show for the first time, that SLN is recruited in mechanically overloaded plantaris muscles, and is critical in stimulating calcineurin‐mediated muscle growth and remodeling.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; MOP 86618 and MOP 47296 to A.R.T).
Deficits in Excitation‐Contraction Coupling in Aged Mice
Authors: Li Harry , Mázala Davi AG , Chin Eva R 
Published: November 2023

Age‐related muscle weakness is due to muscle atrophy as well as decreases in specific tension. This is due, at least in part, to altered innervation and to changes in muscle fibre type. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in excitation‐contraction (e‐c) coupling and fibre‐type specific gene expression in muscle from: i) 18 and 30 mos. old (18MO, 30MO) compared to 6 mos. old (6MO) mice; and ii) young mice with denervation atrophy in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) vs. wild‐type (WT) control. Single muscle fibre were obtained from the flexor digitorum (FDB) muscle and intracellular Ca2+ transients evaluated using Fura‐2 in response to electrical stimulation. Fibre‐type specific genes expression was assessed by RT‐PCR in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. FDB resting Fura‐2 ratio was not different in 18MO and 30MO fibres (0.396±0.007, 0.407±0.008, 0.414±0.010 at 6MO, 18MO and 30MO, respectively) or in SMA vs. WT fibres. Peak tetanic Fura‐2 ratio were reduced at the highest stimulation frequencies (70 and 100Hz) in 18MO and 30MO compared to 6MO (70Hz: 1.244±0.074, 1.040±0.057, 1.031±0.076 and 100Hz: 1.282±0.075, 1.094±0.062, 1.022±0.078 at 6MO, 18MO and 30MO, respectively; p<0.05) but not in SMA compared to WT. Troponin I slow gene expression was increased (2.1 and 3.7 –fold in 18MO and 30MO, respectively), muscle creatine kinase (MCK) and GAPDH increased and myoglobin decreased in 30MO only. MCK only was increased in SMA vs. WT TA. These data indicate deficits in e‐c coupling by 18 mos. of age with no further impairments at 30 mos. which are associated with a shift to a slow/glycolytic fibre type. These changes are not evident with denervation, suggesting other causes of e‐c coupling failure and fibre type‐specific gene expression.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the University of Maryland, College Park new investigator funds to ERC. DAGM is supported by NIH Pre‐doctoral Institutional Training Grant T32‐AG000268 to J.M. Hagberg.