Brassica Species in Phytoextractions: Real Potentials and Challenges

The genus Brassica is recognized for including species with phytoaccumulation potential and a large amount of research has been carried out in this area under a variety of conditions, from laboratory experiments to field trials, with spiked or naturally contaminated soils, using one- or multi-element contaminated soil, generating various and sometimes contradictory results with limited practical applications. To date, the actual field potential of Brassica species and the feasibility of a complete phytoextraction process have not been fully evaluated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the results of the experiments that have been performed with a view to analyzing real potentials and limitations. The reduced biomass and low metal mobility in the soil have been addressed by the development of chemically or biologically assisted phytoremediation technologies, the use of soil amendments, and the application of crop management strategies. Certain issues, such as the fate of harvested biomass or the performance of species in multi-metal-contaminated soils, remain to be solved by future research. Potential improvements to current experimental settings include testing species grown to full maturity, using a greater amount of soil in experiments, conducting more trials under real field conditions, developing improved crop management systems, and optimizing solutions for harvested biomass disposal.

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Assessment of Cover Crop Management Strategies in Nebraska, US

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture9060124 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 124 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Maxwel C. Oliveira ◽

Liberty Butts ◽

Rodrigo Werle

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Cover Crop ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Crop Management ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Future Research ◽

Weed Species ◽

Crop Species ◽

Seed Corn ◽

Field Corn

Adoption of cover crops has the potential to increase agricultural sustainability in the US and beyond. In 2017, a survey was conducted with Nebraska stakeholders in an attempt to evaluate current cover crop management strategies adopted in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), field corn (Zea mays L.), and seed corn production. Eighty-two Nebraska stakeholders answered the survey, of which 80% identified themselves as growers. Eighty-seven percent of respondents manage cover crops, and the average cover crop ha planted on a per farm basis is 32%. The primary method of establishing cover crops following soybeans and field corn is drilling. In seed corn, interseeding is the main seeding strategy for cover crop establishment. Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) appeared as the most adopted cover crop species (either alone or in mixtures with radish [Raphanus sativus L.] or hairy vetch [Vicia villosa Roth]). Over 95% of respondents utilize herbicides for cover crop termination in the spring before crop planting. Glyphosate is used by 100% of survey respondents that use herbicides for cover crop termination. The major observed impacts of incorporating cover crops into a production system according to survey respondents are reduced soil erosion and weed suppression. According to 93% of respondents, cover crops improve weed control by suppressing winter and/or summer annual weed species. The biggest challenge reported by cover crop adopters is planting and establishing a decent stand before winter. According to the results of this survey, there are different management strategies, positive outcomes, and challenges that accompany cover crop adoption in Nebraska. These results will help growers, agronomists, and researchers better guide cover crop adoption, management, and future research and education needs in Nebraska and beyond.

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Understanding Limited Use of Amplification in Infants and Children Who Are Hard of Hearing

Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood ◽

10.1044/hhdc25.1.15 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 15-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ryan W. McCreery ◽

Elizabeth A. Walker ◽

Meredith Spratford

Keyword(s):

Hard Of Hearing ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Needs ◽

Case Examples ◽

Hearing Aid Use ◽

Wide Range ◽

In Infants And Children

The effectiveness of amplification for infants and children can be mediated by how much the child uses the device. Existing research suggests that establishing hearing aid use can be challenging. A wide range of factors can influence hearing aid use in children, including the child's age, degree of hearing loss, and socioeconomic status. Audiological interventions, including using validated prescriptive approaches and verification, performing on-going training and orientation, and communicating with caregivers about hearing aid use can also increase hearing aid use by infants and children. Case examples are used to highlight the factors that influence hearing aid use. Potential management strategies and future research needs are also discussed.

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The Potential of the Synthetic Strigolactone Analogue GR24 for the Maintenance of Photosynthesis and Yield in Winter Wheat under Drought: Investigations on the Mechanisms of Action and Delivery Modes

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10061223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1223

Author(s):

Mojde Sedaghat ◽

Yahya Emam ◽

Ali Mokhtassi-Bidgoli ◽

Saeid Hazrati ◽

Claudio Lovisolo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Bioactive Molecules ◽

Future Research ◽

Antioxidant Enzyme Activities ◽

Synthetic Analog ◽

Practical Applications ◽

New Family ◽

Harsh Environmental Condition

Strigolactones (SLs) have been implicated in many plant biological and physiological processes, including the responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, in concert with other phytohormones. While it is now clear that exogenous SLs may help plants to survive in harsh environmental condition, the best, most effective protocols for treatment have not been defined yet, and the mechanisms of action are far from being fully understood. In the set of experiments reported here, we contrasted two application methods for treatment with a synthetic analog of SL, GR24. A number of morphometric, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured following foliar application of GR24 or application in the residual irrigation water in winter wheat plants under irrigated and drought stress conditions. Depending on the concentration and the method of GR24 application, differentiated photosynthesis and transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, antioxidant enzyme activities and yield in drought conditions were observed. We present evidence that different methods of GR24 application led to increased photosynthesis and yield under stress by a combination of drought tolerance and escape factors, which should be considered for future research exploring the potential of this new family of bioactive molecules for practical applications.

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Chemical Properties of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils from a Korean Military Shooting Range: Evaluation of Pb Sources Using Pb Isotope Ratios

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11157099 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (15) ◽

pp. 7099

Author(s):

Inkyeong Moon ◽

Honghyun Kim ◽

Sangjo Jeong ◽

Hyungjin Choi ◽

Jungtae Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Contaminated Soils ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Heavy Metal Concentration ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Shooting Range ◽

Geochemical Properties ◽

Mineral Phases

In this study, the geochemical properties of heavy metal-contaminated soils from a Korean military shooting range were analyzed. The chemical behavior of heavy metals was determined by analyzing the soil pH, heavy metal concentration, mineral composition, and Pb isotopes. In total, 24 soil samples were collected from a Korean military shooting range. The soil samples consist of quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite/illite, kaolinite, chlorite, and calcite. Lead minerals, such as hydrocerussite and anglesite, which are indicative of a transformation into secondary mineral phases, were not observed. All soils were strongly contaminated with Pb with minor concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cd, and Zn. Arsenic was rarely detected. The obtained results are indicated that the soils from the shooting range are contaminated with heavy metals and have evidences of different degree of anthropogenic Pb sources. This study is crucial for the evaluation of heavy metal-contaminated soils in shooting ranges and their environmental effect as well as for the establishment of management strategies for the mitigation of environmental risks.

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Tracking Changes on Soil Structure and Organic Carbon Sequestration after 30 Years of Different Tillage and Management Practices

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 291

Author(s):

Ramón Bienes ◽

Maria Jose Marques ◽

Blanca Sastre ◽

Andrés García-Díaz ◽

Iris Esparza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Triticum Aestivum ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Management Practices ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Field Trials ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Wilting Point

Long-term field trials are essential for monitoring the effects of sustainable land management strategies for adaptation and mitigation to climate change. The influence of more than thirty years of different management is analyzed on extensive crops under three tillage systems, conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), and no-tillage (NT), and with two crop rotations, monoculture winter-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wheat-vetch (Triticum aestivum L.-Vicia sativa L.), widely present in the center of Spain. The soil under NT experienced the largest change in organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, macroaggregate stability, and bulk density. In the MT and NT treatments, SOC content was still increasing after 32 years, being 26.5 and 32.2 Mg ha−1, respectively, compared to 20.8 Mg ha−1 in CT. The SOC stratification (ratio of SOC at the topsoil/SOC at the layer underneath), an indicator of soil conservation, increased with decreasing tillage intensity (2.32, 1.36, and 1.01 for NT, MT, and CT respectively). Tillage intensity affected the majority of soil parameters, except the water stable aggregates, infiltration, and porosity. The NT treatment increased available water, but only in monocropping. More water was retained at the permanent wilting point in NT treatments, which can be a disadvantage in dry periods of these edaphoclimatic conditions.

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A Survey on Deep Learning Based Methods and Datasets for Monocular 3D Object Detection

Electronics ◽

10.3390/electronics10040517 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 517

Author(s):

Seong-heum Kim ◽

Youngbae Hwang

Keyword(s):

Deep Learning ◽

Object Detection ◽

Low Cost ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Future Research ◽

3D Object ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Depth Sensors ◽

Significant Research ◽

3D Object Detection

Owing to recent advancements in deep learning methods and relevant databases, it is becoming increasingly easier to recognize 3D objects using only RGB images from single viewpoints. This study investigates the major breakthroughs and current progress in deep learning-based monocular 3D object detection. For relatively low-cost data acquisition systems without depth sensors or cameras at multiple viewpoints, we first consider existing databases with 2D RGB photos and their relevant attributes. Based on this simple sensor modality for practical applications, deep learning-based monocular 3D object detection methods that overcome significant research challenges are categorized and summarized. We present the key concepts and detailed descriptions of representative single-stage and multiple-stage detection solutions. In addition, we discuss the effectiveness of the detection models on their baseline benchmarks. Finally, we explore several directions for future research on monocular 3D object detection.

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A qualitative investigation of LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences and perceptions of self-managing their mental health

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1007/s00787-021-01783-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rosa Town ◽

Daniel Hayes ◽

Peter Fonagy ◽

Emily Stapley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Community Support ◽

Self Management ◽

Future Research ◽

Youth Groups ◽

Coping Methods ◽

Group A

AbstractThere is evidence that young people generally self-manage their mental health using self-care strategies, coping methods and other self-management techniques, which may better meet their needs or be preferable to attending specialist mental health services. LGBTQ+ young people are more likely than their peers to experience a mental health difficulty and may be less likely to draw on specialist support due to fears of discrimination. However, little is known about LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences and perceptions of self-managing their mental health. Using a multimodal qualitative design, 20 LGBTQ+ young people participated in a telephone interview or an online focus group. A semi-structured schedule was employed to address the research questions, which focussed on LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences and perceptions of self-managing their mental health, what they perceived to stop or help them to self-manage and any perceived challenges to self-management specifically relating to being LGBTQ+ . Reflexive thematic analysis yielded three key themes: (1) self-management strategies and process, (2) barriers to self-management and (3) facilitators to self-management. Participants’ most frequently mentioned self-management strategy was ‘speaking to or meeting up with friends or a partner’. Both barriers and facilitators to self-management were identified which participants perceived to relate to LGBTQ+ identity. Social support, LGBTQ+ youth groups and community support were identified as key facilitators to participants’ self-management of their mental health, which merits further investigation in future research. These findings also have important implications for policy and intervention development concerning LGBTQ+ young people’s mental health.

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Distributed Ledger Technology Applications in Food Supply Chains: A Review of Challenges and Future Research Directions

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13084206 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 4206

Author(s):

Jamilya Nurgazina ◽

Udsanee Pakdeetrakulwong ◽

Thomas Moser ◽

Gerald Reiner

Keyword(s):

Supply Chains ◽

Food Supply ◽

Information Exchange ◽

Security And Privacy ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Directions ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Food Supply Chains ◽

Distributed Ledger ◽

Future Research Directions

The lack of transparency and traceability in food supply chains (FSCs) is raising concerns among consumers and stakeholders about food information credibility, food quality, and safety. Insufficient records, a lack of digitalization and standardization of processes, and information exchange are some of the most critical challenges, which can be tackled with disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). Studies provide evidence that novel technological and sustainable practices in FSCs are necessary. This paper aims to describe current practical applications of DLTs and IoT in FSCs, investigating the challenges of implementation, and potentials for future research directions, thus contributing to achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within a systematic literature review, the content of 69 academic publications was analyzed, describing aspects of implementation and measures to address the challenges of scalability, security, and privacy of DLT, and IoT solutions. The challenges of high costs, standardization, regulation, interoperability, and energy consumption of DLT solutions were also classified as highly relevant, but were not widely addressed in literature. The application of DLTs in FSCs can potentially contribute to 6 strategic SDGs, providing synergies and possibilities for more sustainable, traceable, and transparent FSCs.

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When the Day Goes Awry: Families Caring for Persons With Dementia

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2190 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 638-639

Author(s):

Karen Roberto ◽

Jyoti Savla ◽

Steven Zarit

Keyword(s):

Family Caregivers ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Service Use ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Care Quality ◽

Future Research ◽

Full Time ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Formal Service ◽

Formal Services

Abstract The daily lives of family caregivers of persons with dementia (PwD) often require that they manage multiple competing demands in a context of unpredictability. Memory and behavior changes associated with dementia can cause PwD to act in random and irrational ways that create stress and influence all aspects of caregivers’ everyday life. Supportive others, including informal helpers and formal service professionals, should provide relief to primary caregivers; however, help may not alleviate caregiver stress and can sometimes compound the burden of care. This symposium draws on daily diary surveys and face-to-face interviews to focus on four aspects of managing everyday care of PwD among family caregivers in rural areas. Brandy Renee McCann explores how caregivers’ vigilance on behalf of PwD care quality interacts with service use. Karen Roberto examines the ways in which caregivers manage PwD resistance to help, including their use of forceful care strategies. Rosemary Blieszner focuses on competing caregiver roles and demands that may contribute to or alleviate caregiver stress. Tina Savla addresses the unexpected, and often hidden, challenges involved in using formal services. Collectively, the four presentations provide in-depth insight into the complicated daily lives of families coping with dementia and the ways in which they meet the demands of full-time caregiving under often difficult and challenging circumstances. Discussant Steve Zarit considers the efficacy of these management strategies for various aspects of everyday care and offers suggestions for future research and person-centered programs and interventions to reduce health disparities among caregivers in rural areas.

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Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning

ACM Computing Surveys ◽

10.1145/3453160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 54 (5) ◽

pp. 1-35

Author(s):

Shubham Pateria ◽

Budhitama Subagdja ◽

Ah-hwee Tan ◽

Chai Quek

Keyword(s):

Reinforcement Learning ◽

Future Research ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Open Problems ◽

Practical Applications ◽

Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning ◽

The Past ◽

Agent Learning ◽

Multi Agent ◽

Supplementary Material

Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning (HRL) enables autonomous decomposition of challenging long-horizon decision-making tasks into simpler subtasks. During the past years, the landscape of HRL research has grown profoundly, resulting in copious approaches. A comprehensive overview of this vast landscape is necessary to study HRL in an organized manner. We provide a survey of the diverse HRL approaches concerning the challenges of learning hierarchical policies, subtask discovery, transfer learning, and multi-agent learning using HRL. The survey is presented according to a novel taxonomy of the approaches. Based on the survey, a set of important open problems is proposed to motivate the future research in HRL. Furthermore, we outline a few suitable task domains for evaluating the HRL approaches and a few interesting examples of the practical applications of HRL in the Supplementary Material.

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