scholarly journals Improved cyber-physical system captured post-flowering high night temperature impact on yield and quality of field grown wheat

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan T. Hein ◽  
Raju Bheemanahalli ◽  
Dan Wagner ◽  
Amaranatha R. Vennapusa ◽  
Carlos Bustamante ◽  
...  

AbstractWinter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is essential to maintain food security for a large proportion of the world’s population. With increased risk from abiotic stresses due to climate variability, it is imperative to understand and minimize the negative impact of these stressors, including high night temperature (HNT). Both globally and at regional scales, a differential rate of increase in day and night temperature is observed, wherein night temperatures are increasing at a higher pace and the trend is projected to continue into the future. Previous studies using controlled environment facilities and small field-based removable chambers have shown that post-anthesis HNT stress can induce a significant reduction in wheat grain yield. A prototype was previously developed by utilizing field-based tents allowing for simultaneous phenotyping of popular winter wheat varieties from US Midwest and advanced breeding lines. Hence, the objectives of the study were to (i) design and build a new field-based infrastructure and test and validate the uniformity of HNT stress application on a scaled-up version of the prototype (ii) improve and develop a more sophisticated cyber-physical system to sense and impose post-anthesis HNT stress uniformly through physiological maturity within the scaled-up tents; and (iii) determine the impact of HNT stress during grain filling on the agronomic and grain quality parameters including starch and protein concentration. The system imposed a consistent post-anthesis HNT stress of + 3.8 °C until maturity and maintained uniform distribution of stress which was confirmed by (i) 0.23 °C temperature differential between an array of sensors within the tents and (ii) statistically similar performance of a common check replicated multiple times in each tent. On average, a reduction in grain-filling duration by 3.33 days, kernel weight by 1.25% per °C, grain number by 2.36% per °C and yield by 3.58% per °C increase in night temperature was documented. HNT stress induced a significant reduction in starch concentration indicating disturbed carbon balance. The pilot field-based facility integrated with a robust cyber-physical system provides a timely breakthrough for evaluating HNT stress impact on large diversity panels to enhance HNT stress tolerance across field crops. The flexibility of the cyber-physical system and movement capabilities of the field-based infrastructure allows this methodology to be adaptable to different crops.

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 756
Author(s):  
Maciej Walędziak ◽  
Anna Różańska-Walędziak ◽  
Paweł Bartnik ◽  
Joanna Kacperczyk-Bartnik ◽  
Andrzej Kwiatkowski ◽  
...  

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic and the implemented restrictions have changed the functioning of healthcare systems worldwide. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of the present epidemiological situation on patients’ decisions about undergoing weight loss surgery. Methods: data were collected from 906 bariatric patients by the means of a national online survey, the majority of whom were women (87.9%). The survey started on 9 April 2020 and was open until 28 April 2020. The questionnaire included multiple choice and open questions, divided into three chapters: general information about the patient, life during the COVID-19 pandemic, and bariatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: despite the pandemic and the associated risk of COVID-19 infection, 443 responders (48.9%) would have decided to undergo bariatric surgery. Awareness of the negative impact of obesity on the course of COVID-19 illness had only marginable impact on patients’ decision-making (76.6% vs. 75.3%; p < 0.80). Contact with COVID-19 prior to the survey had a negative impact on the willingness to undergo bariatric surgery (3.0% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.55). There was a positive correlation between the BMI and preference for bariatric surgery in the time of the pandemic (37.4 ± 9.0 vs. 34.9 ± 8.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions: the level of awareness about the advantages of operative treatment of obesity is high among bariatric patients. The majority of patients awaiting bariatric surgery at the moment of the survey were positive about undergoing bariatric surgery despite the increased risk of a serious course of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, a large proportion of patients was determined to have bariatric treatment even during the pandemic, being aware of the increased risk of worse pace of COVID-19 disease in case of obesity and related diseases.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay D Pal ◽  
Charles T Klodell ◽  
Ranjit John ◽  
Francis Pagani ◽  
Joseph G Rogers ◽  
...  

Objective: Our goal was to determine the operative mortality of isolated implantation of the HeartMate II continuous flow LVAD and the impact of additional concurrent cardiac procedures on patient outcomes. Methods: In a multicenter trial, 279 patients at 33 clinical sites underwent implantation of the HeartMate II continuous flow LVAD as a bridge to transplantation from March 2005 to March 2007. HeartMate II implantation (HM II) was the only procedure required in 172 patients while 80 patients required concurrent cardiac procedures in conjunction with LVAD implantation (HM II+CCP). Results: Preoperative characteristics were similar, but central venous pressure (14.5 vs 11.6 mmHg) was greater for patients requiring concurrent cardiac procedures, suggesting worse right heart dysfunction. Mean cardiopulmonary bypass times increased from 97 to 120 minutes when a concurrent cardiac procedure was performed (p<0.001). Length of stay slightly increased from 23 to 26 days (p=0.17). Overall 30- and 180-day mortality was 5.8% and 13.3% for the HM II group, and 11.3% and 20.0% for the HM II+CCP group. Concurrent valvular procedures increased the risk to 8.5% and 19.1%. Patients who underwent an aortic valve replacement with cardioplegic arrest had a 30-day mortality of 25%, higher than for isolated concurrent mitral (0%) or tricuspid repair (3.3%). Other cardiac procedures were associated with a 30-day mortality of 27.8%. Survival at 180 days was 87% for HMII alone and 80% for HMII+CCP. Conclusion: There is a low 5.8% operative mortality for patients requiring uncomplicated HeartMate II implantation, with no apparent increased risk for concurrent PFO closure, mitral or tricuspid repair. However, concurrent aortic valve and other cardiac procedures are associated with a significantly decreased survival. The increased risk of these procedures must be balanced against the negative impact of uncorrected aortic insufficiency during VAD support.


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mery Constanza García-Vargas ◽  
Mercedes Rizo-Baeza ◽  
Ernesto Cortés-Castell

Background.Little research exists on the impact of paid work on academic performance of students of health sciences. No research exists on this subject for students in Colombia.Objectives.This paper seeks to analyze the impact of paid work on academic performance among nursing students. Design, settings and participants: cross-sectional research, involving 430 of nursing students from the National University of Colombia (N= 566).Methods.Variables analyzed: sex, age, work activity, attendance, current semester, degree subjects studied and unavailable, lost credits, grades during the second semester of 2013, and delayed semesters. Subgroups analyzed: (i) according to labor activity: do not work, work up to 20 h and work more than 20 h per week; (ii) Grade point average: failing is considered as less than 3.0 and passing 3.0 or above out of 5.0. Percentage of delayed semesters were calculated. Qualitative and quantitative variables were analyzed for groups by work activity. The percentage and probability of students getting a grade point average less than 3.0 and delaying semesters were calculated by multivariate logistic regression.Results. A total of 219 of the students work (50.9%), the main reason is socioeconomic, of which 99 (45.2%) work more than 20 h per week and have an increased risk of failing, which is higher in the first semester. They also get lower grades, lose more credits and take longer to finish the degree. The logistic bivariate regressions of success (grade point average, credits gained, courses gained and not having delayed semesters) reduce with work, above all in those who work more than 20 h per week and increase as the number of semesters completed increases, independent of sex.Conclusion.A high percentage of nursing students work more than 20 h per week. The compatibility of paid work with studies in university nursing students has a negative impact on academic performance, more so when they work more than 20 h per week. This negative impact diminishes as the student completes semesters, irrespective of the sex of the students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9723
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Ryk ◽  
Aleksandra Łosiewicz ◽  
Arkadiusz Michalak ◽  
Wojciech Fendler

People with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of developing microvascular complications, which have a negative impact on the quality of life and reduce life expectancy. Numerous studies in animals with experimental diabetes show that c-peptide supplementation exerts beneficial effects on diabetes-induced damage in peripheral nerves and kidneys. There is substantial evidence that c-peptide counteracts the detrimental changes caused by hyperglycemia at the cellular level, such as decreased activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and sodium potassium ATPase, and increase in formation of pro-inflammatory molecules mediated by nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells: cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta. However, despite positive results from cell and animal studies, no successful c-peptide replacement therapies have been developed so far. Therefore, it is important to improve our understanding of the impact of c-peptide on the pathophysiology of microvascular complications to develop novel c-peptide-based treatments. This article aims to review current knowledge on the impact of c-peptide on diabetic neuro- and nephropathy and to evaluate its potential therapeutic role.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 47-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muthalagu Ramanathan ◽  
Pierre Teira ◽  
Minoo Battiwalla ◽  
A. John Barrett ◽  
Caroline A Lindemans ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Since the early days of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), positive serology for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in either the recipient or the donor, and CMV reactivation have been associated with poorer outcomes. In the 90’s, development of effective monitoring and potent antiviral drugs minimized and occasionally abrogated this negative impact. Recently, some studies have reported an unexpected association between early CMV reactivation and decreased incidence of relapse in AML. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Research (CIBMTR) sought to conduct a retrospective large scale study to reassess the impact of CMV serology and CMV reactivation in the current era. Methods: The analysis includes comprehensive data of 11,153 patients undergoing first allogeneic HCT between 2003 and 2010 reported to the CIBMTR. Separate analyses were conducted for each of the 6 patient categories: AML transplanted with bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) (n=5310), AML transplanted with cord blood (CB) (n= 925), ALL with BM/PBSC (n=1883), ALL with CB (n= 759), CML with BM/PBSC (n=1079) and MDS with BM/PBSC (n=1197). CMV serology from the donor (D) or recipient (R), and reactivation of CMV (as a time-dependent co-variate) within the first year after HCT were analyzed as risk factors for outcomes. The median duration of follow up was 56 months (1 – 127 months). Results: The median time to CMV reactivation was 40 days (1 – 362 days) after HCT and 98% of reactivations occurred before day 100 (D+/R+ 32%, D+/R- 11%, D-/R+ 34%, D-/R- 4%). In multivariable analysis, throughout the 6 groups, a positive serology (D+/R+, D+/R-, D-/R+) vs a negative serology (D-/R-),had no effect on the risk of GVHD (acute or chronic) or the risk of relapse, except for an increased risk of chronic GVHD for BM/PBSC recipients with ALL. CMV positive serology was associated with a higher transplant related mortality (TRM) and a poorer overall survival (OS). For a R+ patient, a D- compared to a D+, had no negative impact except for ALL with BM/PBSC where a D- was associated with a poorer OS. After PBSC/BM transplantation, CMV reactivation was associated with a higher TRM for MDS (RR=1.61, p=0.0002), CML (RR=1.86, p=0.0004), AML (RR=1.68; p<0.0001) and ALL (RR=1.95; p<0.0001), translating into lower OS (range of RR from 1.27 to 1.49; p value from 0.003 to <0.0001). Only among AML patients following CB transplantation, CMV reactivation did not worsen OS. Moreover, CMV reactivation had no effect on the incidence of relapse irrespective of the diagnosis or the source of stem cells. Finally, we conducted a subset analysis focusing on the group of AML, transplanted with PBSC after a myeloablative conditioning regimen and with a GVH prophylaxis relying on Ciclosporine and Methotrexate only. In multivariable analysis, there was no difference in the risk of relapse based on CMV reactivation as a time-dependent co-variate [RR 0.96 (0.65 – 1.4), p=0.8385]. Conclusion: Positive D/R CMV serology still results in increased TRM and decreased OS after HSCT in the current era. Early CMV reactivation did not prevent relapse in patients with AML, MDS, CML or ALL after HCT. Disclosures Boeckh: Chimerix: Consultancy, Research Funding; Viropharma: Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Clinigen: Consultancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
T.O. Rozhkova ◽  
S.V. Stankevych ◽  
A.V. Matsyura

The mycoflora of winter wheat seed consists of various fungi that differ as to the parasitism rate. Their harmfulness is connected with their phytotoxic action and ability to produce mycotoxins. Assuming that essential oils have an effective antifungal impact, we studied the effectiveness of 13 essential oils which were produced by LLC "Aromatyka", Ukraine (cinnamon, orange, peppermint, rosemary, vervain, ylang-ylang, sandal, fennel, lavender, eucalypt, bergamot, frankincense, and geranium) on securing of a group of fungi from winter wheat seeds. The seed mycoflora of Bogdana variety harvested in 2017-2020, which was grown in the North- Eastern Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine (Sumy oblast), was analyzed. A fungi complex analysis was made on the media PGA. The impact of essential oils on seed germinating ability and the length of wheat sprouts on the 7th day has been determined. A longterm studying of seed treatment by essential oils showed their effects on mycoflora formation. These plants affected not only the fungi amount but also changed their secure spectrum. The studies admit a negative impact of fungi on seed germination and plant development. The highest seed germination equaled 95% under its treatment with rosemary and orange oils. However, under seed treatment with rosemary oil, there appeared Fusarium sp. and Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem., which harms seed germination. Orange oil has increased the number of fungi of Penicillium sp. The best results (based on three indices) had sandal oil, under which the fungus colony has increased half, and seed germination equaled 61%, the sprout length was maximal when applying other oils (58.8 mm). The essential oils which fully inhibited seed and fungi development (cinnamon, fennel, vervain, geranium) were determined. The study of two of them as fungicides for treatments at the beginning of wheat flowering proved a similar effect to falcon on the change of the internal seed mycoflora.


Author(s):  
Ming-Chuan Chiu ◽  
Chien-De Tsai ◽  
Tung-Lung Li

Abstract A cyber-physical system (CPS) is one of the key technologies of industry 4.0. It is an integrated system that merges computing, sensors, and actuators, controlled by computer-based algorithms that integrate people and cyberspace. However, CPS performance is limited by its computational complexity. Finding a way to implement CPS with reduced complexity while incorporating more efficient diagnostics, forecasting, and equipment health management in a real-time performance remains a challenge. Therefore, the study proposes an integrative machine-learning method to reduce the computational complexity and to improve the applicability as a virtual subsystem in the CPS environment. This study utilizes random forest (RF) and a time-series deep-learning model based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) networking to achieve real-time monitoring and to enable the faster corrective adjustment of machines. We propose a method in which a fault detection alarm is triggered well before a machine fails, enabling shop-floor engineers to adjust its parameters or perform maintenance to mitigate the impact of its shutdown. As demonstrated in two empirical studies, the proposed method outperforms other times-series techniques. Accuracy reaches 80% or higher 3 h prior to real-time shutdown in the first case, and a significant improvement in the life of the product (281%) during a particular process appears in the second case. The proposed method can be applied to other complex systems to boost the efficiency of machine utilization and productivity.


Koedoe ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kay Hiscocks

In 1961, a fence was erected between privately owned Sabi Sand Wildtuin (SSW) and the Kruger National Park (KNP), which largely prevented elephants entering the SSW. In 1993, the fence was removed. This lead to a rapid influx of elephants into the SSW during the winter months, most of which move back into the KNP during the wet summer season. In 1993, the SSW elephant population was 1/1045 ha but increased to 1/305.8 ha in 1996. It more than doubled to 1/146 ha in 1998. This study was undertaken on the property Kingston, in southern SSW, to assess the impact of elephants on woody vegetation and determine why they show seasonal dietary preferences for specific tree parts. Vegetation utilisation was recorded on a five kilometer transect of vehicle track in 1996 and repeated in 1998. From the transect, species density was calculated for those trees impacted on. Trees that had been newly bark stripped were recorded in 1996 and 1998. Cambium samples were collected in summer and winter from eight tree species. Field observations of elephants impacting on woody vegetation augmented the data base. Transect analysis showed a strong correlation between tree utilisation and density. The most visual damage was of Combretum apiculatum, Acacia burkei, Pterocarpus rotundifolius and Grewia species. Tree damage increased by 73 from 1996 to 1998. Significantly higher levels of nitrogen, sodium and magnesium were found in the species most regularly bark stripped. Bull elephants were responsible for 94 of the trees seen uprooted. The results suggested that SSW can sustain the present elephant population, but further influx at the present rate of increase, will have a negative impact on the reserve.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-166
Author(s):  
Sunil Nepal ◽  
Sudip Nepal ◽  
Chakrakodi S. Shastry ◽  
Sharad Chand ◽  
U.P. Nandakumar ◽  
...  

Background: The novel coronavirus disease outbreak of 2019 was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. At present, the virus has spread throughout the world, leading to millions of cases and is further increasing. Objective: The main objective of this study is to review the impact of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health of frontline workers, isolated and quarantined people and the general population. Methods: The relevant articles were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect database by using the keywords “Mental health”, “COVID-19”, “Impact of COVID-19”, “Frontline workers”, “Quarantine”, “Isolation”, “Immunity” and “Economy”. The retrieved articles were included in the study based on inclusion criteria to perform the review. All the selected scientific articles were critically reviewed and the information is summarized in this narrative review. Results: The majority of the studies stated that frontline health workers were at an increased risk of depression. The infected, suspects and quarantined people were reported with high stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts. The pandemic has devastated the world’s economy, which has severely impacted global mental health. Conclusion: Mental health should be taken into account, and necessary interventional initiatives need to be considered both by the health authorities and the government to minimize the adversity of the consequences. The pandemic may disappear with the discovery of new vaccines or medications, but its negative impact on mental health may persist, particularly among vulnerable populations. Thus, mental health must be a matter of concern in the present scenario.


Author(s):  
Marijana Tadic ◽  
Carla Sala ◽  
Sahrai Saeed ◽  
Guido Grassi ◽  
Giuseppe Mancia ◽  
...  

AbstractNew antidiabetic therapy that includes sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors showed significant benefit on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus, and this was particularly confirmed for SGLT2 inhibitors in subjects with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Their role on patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still not elucidated, but encouraging results coming from the clinical studies indicate their beneficial role. The role of GLP-1R agonists and particularly DPP-4 inhibitors is less clear and debatable. Findings from the meta-analyses are sending positive message about the use of GLP-1R agonists in HFrEF therapy and revealed the improvement of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in HFpEF. Nevertheless, the relevant medical societies still consider their effect as neutral or insufficiently investigated in HF patients. The impact of DPP-4 inhibitors in HF is the most controversial due to conflicting data that range from negative impact and increased risk of hospitalization due to HF, throughout neutral effect, to beneficial influence on LV diastolic dysfunction. However, this is a very heterogeneous group of medications and some professional societies made clear discrepancy between saxagliptin that might increase risk of HF hospitalization and those DPP-4 inhibitors that have no effect on hospitalization. The aim of this review is to summarize current clinical evidence about the effect of new antidiabetic medications on LV diastolic function and their potential benefits in HFpEF patients.


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