Differential Maize Yield Hybrid Responses to Stand Density Are Correlated to Their Response to Radiation Reductions Around Flowering

Altered stand density affects maize yields by producing changes in both numerical yield components, kernel number per plant (KNP), and kernel weight (KW). Kernel number is determined by the accumulation of ear biomass during the flowering period, whereas KW is determined by the sink potential established during flowering and the capacity of the plant to fulfill this potential during effective grain filling. Here, we tested if different short shading treatments during different stages around flowering can help discriminate genotypic differences in eco-physiological parameters relevant for maize stand density yield response and associated yield components. Our specific objectives were to: (i) identify hybrids with differential shading stress response, (ii) explore shading effects over eco-physiological parameters mechanistically related to KNP and KW, and (iii) test if shading stress can be used for detecting differential genotypic yield responses to stand density. The objectives were tested using four commercial maize hybrids. Results indicated that KNP was the yield component most related to yield changes across the different shading treatments, and that the specific shading imposed soon after anthesis generated the highest yield reductions. Hybrids less sensitive to shading stress were those that reduced their plant growth rate the least and the ones that accumulated more ear biomass during flowering. Genotype susceptibility to shading stress around flowering was correlated to stand density responses. This indicated that specific shading stress treatments are a useful tool to phenotype for differential stand density responses of commercial hybrids.

Effect of Time and Amount of Colostrum Feeding on Physiological Parameters and Health Scores in Surti Buffalo Calves

Background: Timely feeding of adequate colostrum to new born calf is important to ensure transfer of passive immunity to prevent several infections. Present study has evaluated effect of time and amount of colostrum feeding on physiological parameters and health scores in Surti buffalo calves. Methods: Based on amount and time of feeding colostrum after birth, 24 Surti buffalo calves were divided into four groups as T1 (7%; 0-4), T2 (7%; 4-8), T3 (10%; 0-4) and T4 (10%; 4-8). Physiological parameters (twice daily upto day 5) and naval, nasal, eye and faecal scores on day 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 were recorded. Lying behavior was recorded on day 2. Result: Significant (p less than 0.05) interaction between treatment and weeks and nonsignificant effect of treatment was observed. Calves that received colostrum late had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher faecal score as well as evening heart and respiration rate. Calves that received colostrum early had significant (p less than 0.05) higher lying time. Normal scores of naval, nasal, eye and faecal indicated good health of calves. It was concluded that early feeding of colostrum @ 7 or 10% body weight within 4 hours after birth is beneficial for optimum health in buffalo calves.

Monitoring and Analysis of Physical Exercise Effects Based on Multisensor Information Fusion

In this paper, multiple sensors are used to track human physiological parameters during physical exercise, and data information fusion technology is used to extract useful information for monitoring and analyzing the effects of physical exercise. This paper explores the interaction and developmental dynamics of multisensor information fusion technology and physical exercise data monitoring based on the interrelationship and interpenetration between the two. The design ideas and principles that should be followed for the software designed in this study are discussed from the perspective of the portable design of measurement instruments and the perspective of multisensor information fusion, and then, the overall architecture and each functional module are studied to propose a scientific and reasonable design model. The general methodological model to be followed for the development of this resource is designed, and the basic development process of the model is explained and discussed, especially the requirement analysis and structural design, and how to build the development environment are explained in detail; secondly, based on the course unit development process in this model, we clarify the limitations of the system through meticulous analysis of the measurement results, which provides a solid foundation for the next step of system optimization. Finally, with a focus on future development, we elaborate on the potential possible role and development trend of multisensor information fusion in the future period. In this paper, we propose to apply the multisensor data fusion algorithm to the monitoring, analysis, and evaluation of the effect of physical exercise, by collecting multiple human physiological parameters during physical exercise through multiple sensors and performing data fusion processing on the collected physiological parameters to finally evaluate the effect of physical exercise.

Current views on non-invasive in vivo determination of physiological parameters of the stratum corneum using confocal Raman microspectroscopy

Confocal Raman microspectroscopy is widely used in dermatology and cosmetology for analysis of the concentration of skin components (lipids, natural moisturizing factor molecules, water) and the penetration depth of cosmetic/medical formulations in the human stratum corneum (SC) in vivo. In recent years, it was shown that confocal Raman microspectroscopy can also be used for non-invasive in vivo depth-dependent determination of the physiological parameters of the SC, such as lamellar and lateral organization of intercellular lipids, folding properties of keratin, water mobility and hydrogen bonding states. The results showed that the strongest skin barrier function, which is primarily manifested by the orthorhombic organization of intercellular lipids, is provided at ≈20–40% SC depth, which is related to the maximal bonding state of water with surrounding components in the SC. The secondary and tertiary structures of keratin determine water binding in the SC, which is depth-dependent. This paper shows the technical possibility and advantage of confocal Raman microspectroscopy in non-invasive investigation of the skin and summarizes recent results on in vivo investigation of the human SC.

Prediction of High-Altitude Cardiorespiratory Fitness Impairment Using a Combination of Physiological Parameters During Exercise at Sea Level and Genetic Information in an Integrated Risk Model

Insufficient cardiorespiratory compensation is closely associated with acute hypoxic symptoms and high-altitude (HA) cardiovascular events. To avoid such adverse events, predicting HA cardiorespiratory fitness impairment (HA-CRFi) is clinically important. However, to date, there is insufficient information regarding the prediction of HA-CRFi. In this study, we aimed to formulate a protocol to predict individuals at risk of HA-CRFi. We recruited 246 volunteers who were transported to Lhasa (HA, 3,700 m) from Chengdu (the sea level [SL], <500 m) through an airplane. Physiological parameters at rest and during post-submaximal exercise, as well as cardiorespiratory fitness at HA and SL, were measured. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed to predict HA-CRFi. We analyzed 66 pulmonary vascular function and hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-) related polymorphisms associated with HA-CRFi. To increase the prediction accuracy, we used a combination model including physiological parameters and genetic information to predict HA-CRFi. The oxygen saturation (SpO2) of post-submaximal exercise at SL and EPAS1 rs13419896-A and EGLN1 rs508618-G variants were associated with HA-CRFi (SpO2, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.736, cutoff = 95.5%, p < 0.001; EPAS1 A and EGLN1 G, odds ratio [OR] = 12.02, 95% CI = 4.84–29.85, p < 0.001). A combination model including the two risk factors—post-submaximal exercise SpO2 at SL of <95.5% and the presence of EPAS1 rs13419896-A and EGLN1 rs508618-G variants—was significantly more effective and accurate in predicting HA-CRFi (OR = 19.62, 95% CI = 6.42–59.94, p < 0.001). Our study employed a combination of genetic information and the physiological parameters of post-submaximal exercise at SL to predict HA-CRFi. Based on the optimized prediction model, our findings could identify individuals at a high risk of HA-CRFi in an early stage and reduce cardiovascular events.

Implementation of Snow and Ice Sports Health and Sports Information Collection System Based on Internet of Things

The promotion of ice and snow sports not only provides professional athletes for the Winter Olympics but also acts as appreciative mass bases for ice and snow sports. The appearance of ice and snow sports will bring a new consumption pattern and develop a new ice and snow industry. In this paper, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based sports information collection system which is specifically designed and developed for the healthcare domain specifically in the snow and ice sports is proposed. The physiological parameters such as body temperature, ECG, blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood oxygen saturation are captured through various monitoring devices. These physiological parameters are transmitted to the mobile device by the wireless module and mobile device that receives and displays these physiological parameters. A complete hardware design of the whole ice and snow sports health and sports information acquisition system, which is based on the Internet of Things, is given, and then, there is the overall design scheme of the system, such as adopted modular design for the system, attitude measurement unit, UWB positioning unit, data storage, and communication unit, respectively. The measurement results of the professional medical equipment are compared with those of acquisition equipment in real environment of ice and sports. These results have verified accuracy of data collected by acquisition equipment and meet the design requirements of the proposed system.