Research on lncRNA Related to Drought Resistance of Shanlan Upland Rice

Background Drought has become the major abiotic stress that causes losses in rice yields and consequently is one of the main environmental factors threatening food security. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is known to play an important role in plant response to drought stress, while the mechanisms of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in drought resistance in upland rice have been rarely reported. Results In our study, a total of 191 lncRNAs, 2115 mRNAs and 32 miRNAs (microRNAs) were found by strand-specific sequencing and small RNA sequencing to be differentially expressed in drought-stressed rice. Functional analysis of results indicate that they play important roles in hormone signal transduction, chlorophyll synthesis, protein synthesis and other pathways. Construction of a ceRNA network revealed that MSTRG.28732.3 may interact with miR171 in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway and affect the ability of plants to withstand drought stress by regulating Os02g0662700, Os02g0663100 and Os06g0105350. The accuracy of the regulatory network was verified by qRT-PCR. Conclusion Our results provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the potential function of lncRNA in plant drought resistance, and they provide new genetic resources for drought-resistant rice breeding.

First Survey about Current Practices of Environmental Monitoring Programs within French Agri-Food Industries

Food safety is a constant challenge for stakeholders in the food industry. To manage the likelihood of microbiological contamination, food safety management systems must be robust, including food and environmental testing. Environmental monitoring programs (EMP) have emerged this last decade aiming to validate cleaning–sanitation procedures and other environmental pathogen control programs. The need to monitor production environments has become evident because of recent foodborne outbreaks. However, the boundaries of environmental monitoring are not only limited to the management of pathogens but also extend to spoilage and hygiene indicators, microorganisms, allergens, and other hygiene monitoring. Surfaces in production environments can be a source of contamination, either through ineffective cleaning and disinfection procedures or through contamination during production by flows or operators. This study analyses the current practices of 37 French agri-food industries (small, medium, or large), reporting their objectives for EMPs, microbial targets, types, numbers and frequency of sampling, analysis of results, and types of corrective actions.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis To Delineate High-Quality Snps For Seed Micronutrient Density In Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)

Chickpea is the most important nutrient rich grain legume crop in the world. A diverse core set of 147 chickpea genotypes was genotyped with 50K Cicer SNP array and trait phenotyped in two different environments for four seed micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn). The trait data and high-throughput 50K SNP genotypic data was used for genome-wide association study (GWAS) that led the discovery of gene/QTLs for seed Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in chickpea. The analysis of seed micronutrient data revealed significant differences for all the four micronutrient concentrations (P ≤ 0.05). The mean concentration of seed Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn pooled over two-year data was 146.1 ppm, 45.9 ppm, 63.8 ppm and 27.0 ppm respectively. The analysis of results led to the identification of 35 SNPs significantly associated with seed Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations. Among these 35 MTAs, 5 were stable (consistently identified in different environments), 6 were major (explain more than 15% phenotypic variation for an individual trait) and 3 were both major and stable MTAs. The stable and major MTAs identified during the present study shall prove useful in molecular breeding programs aimed at enhancing seed nutrient density of chickpea.

The Impact of Renewable Energy Sources on the Economic Growth of Poland and Sweden Considering COVID-19 Times

A demonstration of the relationship between the share of renewables in gross marginal energy and selected countries’ economic growth is the basis of this research. The paper seeks to investigate mutual correlations between renewable energy sources and economic growth for two EU economies and how it influences their fluctuations (increase and decrease). The comparative analysis of results was carried out for less-income Polish and high-income Swedish economies. This research used a regression model to answer the research questions examining the presence of correlations between renewable energy sources in gross marginal energy consumption and economic growth. This study analyzes data starting from 1991 to 2022. The results indicated a positive correlation (statistical significance) between Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Income variables for Sweden (84.6% and 83.7%, respectively) and Poland (79.9% and 79.2%, respectively), which influence the use of renewable energy sources. The findings also reveal that the higher economic growth caused by the use of renewables is observed for the leading countries but at the same time the risk of a greater recession is much more likely than in other countries. These findings would help government officials and policymakers to better understand the role of renewable energy in the economic growth of these countries. This study has contributed to the literature on renewable energy sources and statistical reports under the EU energy sector framework.

Experimental Investigations into Assessment of Thrust Force and Temperature in Bone Drilling

Drilling of bone is a challenging task for surgeons due to its effect on bone tissues. During drilling, it is noted that the temperature of bone increases. This increase in temperature if above 47°C causes thermal necrosis. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of input drilling parameters and drill bit parameters on bone health. To plan experiments a full factorial design method was used. An analysis is done on the effect of input parameters on thrust force and temperature of bone. The analysis of results shows an increase in thrust force and temperature when the feed rate increases and the spindle speed decreases. Further, the analysis of results shows an increase in thrust force and temperature when point angle increases and helix angle decreases. The increase in thrust force results in temperature rise. Scanning electron microscopy is done to analyze the surface topography of drilled hole. SEM image analysis shows an increase micro-crack in the drilled area when the thrust force and temperature increases.

Developing Academic Writing Skills in EFL University Students Through Haiku Composition

Background. Although there is empirical evidence to support the inclusion of poetry in the EFL classroom, the medium is rarely encountered in language learning environments. Aims. This study aimed to determine the influence of haiku composition tasks on developing academic writing skills of a group of TEFL majors at an Ecuadorian university. Method. The study was part of a larger research project (originally presented as a Master’s degree dissertation), developed under a mixed-method approach. This article reports the quantitative findings of the statistical analysis of results of two essay-based tests, administered before and after a six-week treatment that promoted haiku composition practices. Results. The findings determine a positive influence of haiku composition on the development of the academic writing skills of the participants in the study. Discussion. The main benefits of haiku composition in terms of academic writing skill development relate to the vocabulary enrichment and enhancement of linguistic competence, audience awareness, and writing process consciousness. These benefits are linked to the formal meter and reader-centeredness nature of haiku. The results encourage the inclusion of poetry-based creative writing tasks in EFL contexts; the evidence suggests that these activities are feasible and beneficial for motivated learners, particularly when framed within a student-centered process.

Punching Shear Strength Prediction for Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs without Shear Reinforcement

Failure of flat slabs usually occurs by punching shear mode. Current structural codes provide an experience-based design provision for punching shear strength which is often associated with high bias and variance. This paper investigates the effect of adding a horizontal reinforcement mesh at the top of the slab-column connection zone on punching the shear strength of flat slabs. A new equation considering the effect of adding this mesh was proposed to determine the punching shear strength. The proposed equation is based on the Critical Shear Crack Theory combined with the analysis of results extracted from previous experimental and theoretical studies. Moreover, the equation of load-rotation curves for different steel ratios together with the failure criterion curves were evaluated to get the design points. The investigated parameters were the slab thicknesses and dimensions, concrete strengths, size of the supporting column, and steel ratios. The model was validated using a new set of specimens and the results were also compared with the predictions of different international design codes (ACI318, BS8110, AS3600, and Eurocode 2). Statistical analysis provides that the proposed equation can predict the punching shear strength with a level of high accuracy (Mean Square Error =2.5%, Standard Deviation =0.104, Mean=1.0) and over a wide range of reinforcement ratios and compressive strengths of concrete. Most of the predictions were conservative with an underestimation rate of 12%. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-01-013 Full Text: PDF

Development of Pictorial-based Two-Tier Multiple Choice Misconception Diagnostic Test on Buffer Solutions

This research aims to develop a Pictorial-based Two-Tier Multiple Choice Misconception Diagnostic Test on Buffer Solutions. This research uses the Development and Validation method. The development steps in this method consist of test development (design); validity and reliability test; development of determination key; use of tests, and analysis of results. Based on the content validity test using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) method, there are 24 items meet the content validity criteria. Based on the reliability test obtained Cronbach's Alpha value of 0.827 which indicates that the developed test is included in the acceptable category. It can identify high school students' misconceptions about the buffer solutions because the presence of pictures can help students understand the problems about the buffer solutions, and can provide an overview of their mental representations so that misconceptions are revealed more deeply.

Online Advanced Bacterial Identification Software, an Original Tool for Phenotypic Bacterial Identification

The objective of the study is to present and validate an original online Advanced Bacterial Identification Software, ABIS, by comparison to a commercially available, standardized identification system, API strips and apiweb™ bioMerieux software. Methods and results: presentation of ABIS online software, phenotypic bacterial identification of 16 reference strains and 123 wild isolates by ABIS and apiweb TM bioMerieux software and comparative analysis of results. Closed results were obtained (same taxa) for reference and wild strains of Enterobacteriaceae, Pasteurellaceae, Bacillaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, and other. Conclusions: Apiweb™ confirmed the results of ABIS, overall, average identification percent for ABIS being 91.8% and 90.4% for apiweb TM. ABIS online is a powerful tool for microbiology lab and the Encyclopedia connection provides essential information about the ecological significance, pathology and other features of the identified strains.