bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of a novel Pseudomonas protegens strain associated with entomopathogenic nematode infective juveniles in insect pathogenesis
Authors: Ruiu Luca , Marche Maria Giovanna , Mura Maria Elena , Tarasco Eustachio 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe bioinsecticidal action of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) typically relies on their symbiosis with core bacteria. However, recent studies highlighted the possible involvement of other noncore species. We have recently isolated a novel Pseudomonas protegens strain as a major agent of septicaemia in larvae of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, infected with a soil‐dwelling Steinernema feltiae strain. The actual role of this bacterium in entomopathogenesis was investigated.RESULTSThe association of P. protegens with nematodes appeared to be robust, as supported by its direct and repeated isolation from both nematodes and insect larvae infected for several consecutive generations. The bacterium appeared to be well‐adapted to the insect haemocoel, being able to proliferate rapidly after the injection of even a small amount of living cells [100 colony forming units (CFU)] to a larva, causing its fast death. The bacterium also was able to act by ingestion against G. mellonella larvae [median lethal concentration (LC50) = 4.0 × 107 CFU mL–1], albeit with a slower action, which supports the involvement of specific virulence factors (e.g. chitinases, Fit toxin) to overcome the intestinal barrier to the haemocoel. Varying levels of bacterial virulence were observed on diverse target Diptera and Lepidoptera.CONCLUSIONThe soil‐dwelling bacterium P. protegens appears to have evolved its own potential as a stand‐alone entomopathogen, yet the establishment of an opportunistic association with entomoparasitic nematodes would represent a special competitive advantage. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the nematode–bacteria biocontrol agent complex and the deriving paradigm of their use as biological control agents. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Effectiveness of slow‐release fungicide formulations for suppressing potato pathogens
Authors: Kiselev Evgeniy G , Prudnikova Svetlana V , Streltsova Nadezhda V , Volova Tatiana G 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDFor the first time, the biological activity of slow‐release fungicide formulations for suppressing potato pathogens deposited in a degradable poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate/sawdust base has been obtained and investigated.RESULTSThe slow‐release fungicide formulations (azoxystrobin, azoxystrobin + mefenoxam, and difenoconazole) were studied in vitro and in vivo in comparison with commercial analogues. In in vitro cultures of phytopathogens, the deposited fungicides showed an inhibitory effect comparable to commercial analogues, limiting the growth of colonies of Phytophthora infestans, Alternaria longipes, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solan (2.0–2.3 times relative to the negative control). In laboratory experiments, the use of deposited fungicides was accompanied by earlier germination and more active growth of potatoes against the background of a decrease in the area of plant damage and an increase in yield. In the field experiment, the deposited fungicides suppressed the development of Phytophthora and Alternariosis in the rhizosphere during the entire growing season and reduced the area of plant damage by pathogens by 10–15%, which is two times less than in the groups of plants treated with commercial preparations. The higher biological activity of the embedded fungicides ensured the maximum number of tubers undamaged by pathogens and the total yield of 22–23 t ha−1, which exceeded the yields in the groups with commercial fungicides (18.4–20.8 t ha−1).CONCLUSIONThe slow‐release fungicide formulations deposited in a degradable P(3HB)/sawdust base are effective in protecting potatoes from pathogens and increasing yields and have an advantage over commercial counterparts. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Predator‐ and killed prey‐induced fears bear significant cost to an invasive spider mite: Implications in pest management
Authors: Ristyadi Dwi , He Xiong Z , Wang Qiao 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe success of biological control using predators is normally assumed to be achieved through direct predation. Yet it is largely unknown how the predator‐ and killed prey‐induced stress to prey may contribute to biological control effectiveness. Here, we investigate variations in life‐history traits and offspring fitness of the spider mite Tetranychus ludeni in response to cues from the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis and killed T. ludeni, providing knowledge for evaluation of the nonconsumptive contribution to the biological control of T. ludeni and for future development of novel spider mite control measures using these cues.RESULTSCues from predators and killed prey shortened longevity by 23–25% and oviposition period by 35–40%, and reduced fecundity by 31–37% in T. ludeni females. These cues significantly reduced the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net population growth rate (R0), and extended time to double the population size (Dt). Predator cues significantly delayed lifetime production of daughters. Mothers exposed to predator cues laid significantly smaller eggs and their offspring developed significantly more slowly but these eggs had significantly higher hatch rate.CONCLUSIONPredator‐ and killed prey‐induced fears significantly lower the fitness of T. ludeni, suggesting that these nonconsumptive effects can contribute to the effectiveness of biological control to a great extent. Our study provides critical information for evaluation of biological control effectiveness using predators and paves the way for identification of chemical odors from the predator and killed prey, and development of new materials and methods for the control of spider mite pests. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A hybrid computing framework for risk‐oriented reliability analysis in dynamic PSA context: A case study
Authors: Jiang Chenyu , He Zhanyu , Li Fengjun , Xie Fei , Zheng Licheng , Yang Jun , Yang Ming 
Published: September 2022

AbstractNowadays, the emerging digital technologies and digitalization trend in safety‐critical industrial process systems are bringing great opportunities for system performance improvements. However, new big challenges are also encountered in the reliability and safety evaluation of large complex industrial process systems due to its multi‐state, multi‐phase dynamic interactions, resilience on software and inter‐dependencies among digital components. The objectives of this study are i) to present an introductory overview of a hybrid computing framework as a supplementary to conventional fault tree analysis toolkit for risk‐oriented reliability analysis in dynamic probabilistic safety assessment context; ii) to illustrate how to combine the three methods of DDET, Markov/CCMT, and GO‐FLOW for integrated risk solutions by a case study of small‐break LOCA in nuclear power plants. Within the hybrid computing framework, the DDET model is implemented based on graph‐based search and sequence diagram refactoring by linking with Markov/CCMT and GO‐FLOW solver for branch probability estimation. The dynamic event tree model is adopted to represent the accident sequence of small‐break LOCA, where the heading events of system failure of digital RPS and phased‐mission ECCS in realization of safety‐critical functions of reactivity control and emergency core cooling are respectively modeled and analyzed by Markov chain and GO‐FLOW method. The demonstration results show that the failure analysis of complex dynamic process interactions together with time‐dependent mission reliability analysis of safety systems involved in accident prevention and mitigation can be easily implemented with accurate modeling and fast evaluation within the hybrid integration platform. The core algorithms and principles implemented for dynamic risk scenarios development by DDET, modeling, and analysis of dynamic process interactions by Markov/CCMT, time‐dependent and multi‐phase mission reliability analysis by GO‐FLOW as well as their integration to provide comprehensive solutions for the application of dynamic reliability in risk assessment are also discussed as open problems for future research.
Improved spatial resolution of infrared matrix‐assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging using a reflective objective
Authors: Joignant Alena N. , Bai Hongxia , Manni Jeffrey G. , Muddiman David C. 
Published: September 2022

RationaleThe level of visual detail of a mass spectrometry image is dependent on the spatial resolution with which it is acquired, which is largely determined by the focal diameter in infrared laser ablation‐based techniques. While the use of mid‐IR light for mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has advantages, it results in a relatively large focal diameter and spatial resolution. The continual advancement of infrared matrix‐assisted electrospray ionization (IR‐MALDESI) for MSI warranted novel methods to decrease laser ablation areas and thus improve spatial resolution.MethodsIn this work, a Schwarzschild‐like reflective objective was incorporated into the novel NextGen IR‐MALDESI source and characterized on both burn paper and mammalian tissue using an ice matrix. Ablation areas, mass spectra, and annotations obtained using the objective were compared against the current optical train on the NextGen system without modification.ResultsThe effective resolution was determined to be 55 μm by decreasing the step size until oversampling was observed. Use of the objective improved the spatial resolution by a factor of three as compared against the focus lens.ConclusionsA Schwarzschild‐like reflective objective was successfully incorporated into the NextGen source and characterized on mammalian tissue using an ice matrix. The corresponding improvement in spatial resolution facilitates the future expansion of IR‐MALDESI applications to include those that require fine structural detail.
A new sampling method with zirconium‐loaded resin for phosphate oxygen isotope analysis in oligotrophic freshwater systems
Authors: Ishida Takuya , Tayasu Ichiro , Onodera Shin‐ichi , Ban Syuhei , Okuda Noboru 
Published: September 2022

RationaleThe phosphate oxygen isotope ratio () is a useful technique to trace the sources and biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus (P) in aquatic ecosystems. However, has not been widely used in oligotrophic freshwater systems due to technical and methodological difficulties in collecting sufficient phosphate (PO4) for the analysis, which sometimes requires hundreds of liters of the water sample. In this study, a new approach (PaS‐Zir) was developed for the analysis in oligotrophic freshwater systems using zirconium (Zr)‐loaded (ZrIRC) resin, which has a high affinity for PO4.MethodsZrClO2 was added to Amberlite IRC748 to obtain the ZrIRC resin. The adsorption/desorption experiment using KH2PO4 with a known value of was conducted to determine the adsorption/desorption properties of the resin and the likelihood of isotopic fractionation. By installing mesh bags filled with the resin, the PaS‐Zir approach was used in two rivers with low PO4 concentrations (0.2 and 5.3 μmol/L). A conventional sampling method was also performed in the study river with a higher PO4 concentration to validate the efficacy of the PaS‐Zir method.ResultsThe adsorption/desorption experiment demonstrated that the ZrIRC resin possessed a sufficient adsorption capacity (153 μmol/resin‐mL) and exhibited little isotopic fractionation during the adsorption/desorption processes. Using the PaS‐Zir method, we were able to collect sufficient PO4 samples for the analysis from the rivers within at least 4 days of mesh bag installation. The values (14.2‰ ± 0.2‰) obtained using the PaS‐Zir method were comparable to those obtained using the conventional method (14.0‰ ± 0.03‰).ConclusionWe proved that the PaS‐Zir method is applicable to oligotrophic freshwater systems and is generally more efficient than the conventional method. In addition, our method is useful for improving the understanding of the P dynamics of oligotrophic ecosystems because of the extremely low concentration of PO4 commonly found in them, which are often prone to P pollution.
Electrokinetic Insights into the Triple Ionic and Electronic Conductivity of a Novel Nanocomposite Functional Material for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells
Authors: Bello Idris Temitope , Yu Na , Song Yufei , Wang Jian , Chan Ting‐Shan , Zhao Siyuan , Li Zheng , Dai Yawen , Yu Jie , Ni Meng 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTriple ionic and electronic conductivity (TIEC) in cathode materials for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) is a desirable feature that enhances the spatial expansion of active reaction sites for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. The realization of optimal TIEC in single‐phase materials, however, is challenging. A facile route that facilitates the optimization of TIEC in PCFC cathodes is the strategic development of multiphase cathode materials. In this study, a cubic‐rhombohedral TIEC nanocomposite material with the composition Ba(CeCo)0.4(FeZr)0.1O3−δ (BCCFZ) is designed via self‐assembly engineering. The material consists of a mixed ionic and electronic conducting phase, BaCo1−(x+y+z)CexFeyZrzO3−δ (M‐BCCFZ), and a dominant proton‐conducting phase, BaCe1−(x+y+z)CoxZryFezO3−δ (H‐BCCZF). The dominant cerium‐rich H‐BCCFZ phase enhances the material's oxygen vacancy concentration and the proton defects formation and transport with a low enthalpy of protonation of −30 ± 9 kJ mol−1. The area‐specific resistance of the BCCFZ symmetrical cell is 0.089 Ω cm2 at 650 °C in 2.5% H2O‐air. The peak power density of the anode‐supported single cell based on BCCFZ cathode reaches 1054 mW cm−2 at 650 °C with good operation stability spanning over 500 h at 550 °C. These promote BCCFZ as a befitting cathode material geared toward PCFC commercialization.
Low‐Dimensional Organic Crystals: From Precise Synthesis to Advanced Applications
Authors: Lv Qiang , Zheng Min , Wang Xue‐Dong , Liao Liang‐Sheng 
Published: September 2022

AbstractLow‐dimensional organic crystals (LOCs) have attracted increasing attention recently for their potential applications in miniaturized optoelectronics and integrated photonics. Such applications are possible owing to their tunable physicochemical properties and excellent charge/photon transport features. As a result, the precise synthesis of LOCs has been examined in terms of morphology modulation, large‐area pattern arrays, and complex architectures, and this has led to a series of appealing structure‐dependent properties for future optoelectronic applications. This review summarizes the recent advances in the precise synthesis of LOCs in addition to discussing their structure–property relationships in the context of optoelectronic applications. It also presents the current challenges related to organic crystals with specific structures and desired performances, and the outlook regarding their use in next‐generation integrated optoelectronic applications.
Feasibility assessment on use of proximal geophysical sensors to support precision management
Authors: Becker Sophia M. , Franz Trenton E. , Abimbola Olufemi , Steele Dean D. , Flores J. Paulo , Jia Xinhua , Scherer Thomas F. , Rudnick Daran R. , Neale Christopher M. U. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA study was conducted at three sites in North Dakota to strengthen understanding of the usefulness of different proximal geophysical data types in agricultural contexts of varying pedology. This study hypothesizes that electromagnetic induction (EMI), gamma‐ray sensor (GRS), cosmic‐ray neutron sensor (CRNS), and elevation data layers are all useful in multiple linear regression (MLR) predictions of soil properties that meet expert criteria at three agricultural sites. In addition to geophysical data collection with vehicle‐mounted sensors, 15 soil samples were collected at each site and analyzed for nine soil properties of interest. A set of model training data was compiled by pairing the sampled soil property measurements with the nearest geophysical data. Eleven models passed expert‐defined uncertainty criteria at Site 1, 16 passed at Site 2, and 14 passed at Site 3. Electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), available water holding capacity, silt, and clay were predicted at Site 1 with an R‐squared of prediction > .50 and acceptable root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP). Bulk density (BD), OM, available water capacity, silt, and clay were predicted with > .50 and acceptable RMSEP at Site 2. At Site 3, no soil properties were predicted with acceptable RMSEP and an > .50. These results confirm feasibility of our method, and the authors recommend the prioritization of EMI data collection if geophysical data collection is limited to a single mapping effort and calibration soil samples are few.
Learners’ Strategies in Interactive Sorting Tasks
Authors: Noster Norbert , Hershkovitz Arnon , Tabach Michal , Siller Hans-Stefan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractUsing examples and non-examples is a common technique to demonstrate concepts’ characteristics and boundaries. Based on their properties, certain objects are accepted as examples or non-examples intuitively, while others are accepted or neglected non-intuitively. This 2*2 classification is powerful when designing technology-enhanced learning experiences in which feedback could be provided in real-time. That is, feedback could be based not only on the correctness of student response, but also on the specifics of the objects with which they were engaged. Following this framework, we developed an interactive sorting task that aims at strengthening elementary school students’ understanding of reflective symmetry. We studied learners’ interaction with the objects presented to them, and their success. Our study included 29 elementary school students (ages 9 to 12) from both Israel and Germany. We used screen recording to code participants’ shape-movements, and defined quantitative measures of these movements. Our findings support the need for designing feedback that takes into consideration object’s properties and students’ behavior.
Enumeration of Some Classes of Pattern Avoiding Matchings, with a Glimpse into the Matching Pattern Poset
Authors: Cervetti Matteo , Ferrari Luca 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA matching of the set $$[2n]=\{1,2,\ldots ,2n\}$$

[
2
n
]
=
{
1
,
2
,
…
,
2
n
}

is a partition of [2n] into blocks with two elements, i.e. a graph on [2n], such that every vertex has degree one. Given two matchings $$\sigma $$
σ
and $$\tau $$
τ
, we say that $$\sigma $$
σ
is a $$pattern $$

pattern

of $$\tau $$
τ
when $$\sigma $$
σ
can be obtained from $$\tau $$
τ
by deleting some of its edges and consistently relabelling the remaining vertices. This is a partial order relation turning the set of all matchings into a poset, which will be called the matching pattern poset. In this paper, we continue the study of classes of pattern avoiding matchings (see below for previous work on this subject). In particular, we work out explicit formulas to enumerate the class of matchings avoiding two new patterns, obtained by juxtaposition of smaller patterns, and we describe a recursive formula for the generating function of the class of matchings avoiding the lifting of a pattern and two additional patterns. Moreover, we introduce the notion of unlabeled pattern, as a combinatorial way to collect patterns, and we provide enumerative formulas for two classes of matchings avoiding an unlabeled pattern of order three. In one case, the enumeration follows from an interesting bijection between the matchings of the class and ternary trees. The last part of the paper initiates the study of the matching pattern poset, by providing some preliminary results about its Möbius functions and the structure of some simple intervals.
Denitrification in intertidal sediments of a tropical estuary subject to increasing development pressures
Authors: Fortune Julia , Kaestli Mirjam , Butler Edward C. V. , Gibb Karen 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDarwin Harbour is a working port and the most populated city in the Northern Territory of Australia. This macrotidal estuary is located in the wet–dry tropics of Northern Australia and notwithstanding mounting development pressures in the region, is largely unmodified. The prevailing oligotrophic condition of estuarine waters suggest that biogeochemical cycling in sediments remain active, buffering the influence of anthropogenic inputs. We tested the hypothesis that nutrient hotspots exist in depositional low-velocity zones, with a gradient of high to low nitrogen processing from the upper to outer reaches of the estuary. A number of factors were examined for their influence on the effectiveness of denitrification in these depositional zones, a putative key process driving nitrogen removal, with particular emphasis on carbon-loading extremes in tidal creeks, spatial gradients along the estuary and the influence of seasonality. There were significant differences in process rates between hypereutrophic/eutrophic tidal creeks that receive the largest proportion of treated sewage loads in the region and the mesotrophic/oligotrophic tidal creeks that were comparatively undisturbed. Net benthic nutrient fluxes and dinitrogen efflux rates were more than an order of magnitude higher and lower, respectively, in degraded (hypereutrophic/eutrophic) tidal creek systems where denitrification efficiency (DE%) was < 40%. Denitrification (Dinitrogen efflux) rates in tidal creeks (mesotrophic/oligotrophic) and broader estuarine sites were high (~ 8 mmol N m−2 day−1) and denitrification efficiency remained > 65%, particularly during the wet season. On a whole-of-estuary basis, denitrification in conjunction with mechanisms such as burial could feasibly make a substantial impact, abating the influence of anthropogenic inputs. Although considerable variability was encountered, particularly across seasons, the hypothesis of elevated denitrification rates as nutrient hotspots in depositional zones along the estuary was not convincing. More influential are tidal creeks as potential ‘reactors’ for N cycling and removal, but their capacity can be degraded by overloading with nutrients.