Controlled Environmental Conditions Research Articles

The Potency of Essential Oils in Combating Stored-Product Pests: From Nature to Nemesis

Sitophilus oryzae, Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Rhyzopertha dominica, Tenebrio molitor, Trogoderma granarium, Acarus siro, and Alphitobius diaperinus represent significant arthropod stored-product pests worldwide. To combat these noxious arthropods, the current study examines the pesticidal effect of essential oils (EOs) derived from four aromatic plants, i.e., Illicium verum Hook. F., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal, and Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. Considering the challenge of pesticide resistance, the current study focuses on assessing the efficacy of these EOs as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic insecticides. Two EO concentrations (500 and 1000 µL/kg wheat) were applied to different life stages of these pests in the bioassays. Mortality rates were monitored over several days under controlled environmental conditions. The findings demonstrated that C. reticulata and I. verum EOs had elevated insecticidal effects, especially against larval stages, resulting in 100% mortality in several species. On the contrary, M. myristica and X. aethiopica EOs showed less overall efficacy despite their potency against some pests. Both I. verum and C. reticulata EOs outperformed the positive control, pirimiphos-methyl, in several assays. The results of the current study highlight the potential of several EOs as effective alternatives in reducing synthetic pesticide use for integrated pest control management.

Influence of ambient temperature on resting energy expenditure in metabolically healthy men and women.

It is not yet clear to what extent the physiological regulatory mechanisms that maintain core body temperature are reflected by changes in resting energy expenditure (REE). Particularly in indirect calorimetry with a canopy, the effects of short-term temperature exposures have not yet been investigated. This can be of relevance for the determination of REE in practice. This randomized crossover-study investigated the influence of a 30-minute exposure to 18°C (cool room temperature), 22°C (room temperature), 28°C (thermoneutral zone) and 38°C (heat) on REE determined by assessing the inhaled oxygen volume and the exhaled carbon dioxide volume via indirect calorimetry on four consecutive days. 32 metabolically healthy participants (16 male and 16 female, age: 25 ± 3 years, body mass index: 22.4 ± 1.6 kg/m2) were included in the study after screening examination. Lean body mass, ambient temperature and heart rate were the most important determinants (all P<0.001), and explained 61.3% of the variance in REE. A multivariate linear mixed model analysis revealed that lean mass (15.87 ± 3.66, P<0.001) and ambient temperature (P=0.001) significantly influenced REE. REE significantly differed between 18°C and 28°C (18°C: +96 ± 24 kcal/24 h, P<0.001), 22°C and 28°C (22°C: +73 ± 24 kcal/24 h, P=0.003) and 18°C and 38°C (18°C: +57 ± 23 kcal/24 h, P=0.016). Effects of ambient temperature on REE, especially cold, were detectable after only brief exposure, emphasizing the importance of performing indirect calorimetry with a canopy under controlled environmental conditions. The study was registered with the database "ClinicalTrials.gov" (NCT05505240).Web-Link: Influence of Ambient Temperature on Resting Energy Expenditure of Healthy Adults - Full Text View - ClinicalTrials.gov.

Assessing the Feasibility of Drone-Mediated Vaccine Delivery: An Exploratory Study.

In the past decade, unmanned aerial systems (UASs), commonly known as drones, have found applications not only in military and agriculture but also in the transportation of medical supplies. The present study was conducted to assess the practicality of utilizing drones as a mode for the delivery of vaccines to combat the challenges. An exploratory study. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and paucity of availability of rules and regulations related to drones in India in 2021, this study was conducted as a exploratory study for which number of regulatory approvals are obtained and it involves five drone missions within the premises of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India on a confined airstrip of 3 km2 to transport simulated vaccine vials using a multi-rotor top-load UAS in the normal weather conditions in daylight where dummy vaccine vials (COVID-19) were packed with cool packs to maintain the temperature. Study was conducted to explore feasibility to carry vaccines through drones and any environmental impact on the vaccine vials while its transportation. The drones demonstrated a maximum flight endurance of 31 min while carrying a payload of up to 4.5 Kg, covering an aerial distance of 17 km at an average speed ranging at 12 m per second. Notably, the vaccine carrier box was able to maintain a recommended temperature of 3°C-4°C throughout the transportation process, and there is no impact of vibration on the physical integrity and leakage of the vaccine vials during flight. These findings signify the potential for the drone-based medical supply deliveries across confined and controlled environment conditions. This study provides the insights that there is no environmental impact such as humidity, temperature, wind etc on the drone and no impact on vibrations on the physical integrity and leakage of the dummy vaccine vials. There were few regulatory barriers that required special approvals from concerned authorities. The study was not designed to assess for cost-effectiveness, also it was conducted in defined geography so all sorties were VLOS. Study has various limitations such as using simulated vaccine vials, regulatory barriers, operational barriers etc. Conducting the study in a controlled environment at IIT Kanpur limits generalizability. In spite of these limitations this study provides valuable insights and may explore a diverse environment that can help in strengthening health services especially in difficult terrains.

Speed breeding advancements in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.): a simplified and efficient approach for accelerating breeding programs.

This study investigated the potential of extended irradiation combined with immature embryo culture techniques to accelerate generation advancements in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) breeding programs. We developed an efficient speed breeding method by applying light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit specific wavelengths, alongside the in vitro germination of immature embryos under controlled environmental conditions. The experimental design for light treatments followed a 2 × 4 completely randomized factorial design with four replications, incorporating two safflower varieties, Remzibey-05 and Dinçer, and four LED treatments (white, full-spectrum, red + blue + white, and control). A lighting regimen of 22 h of light and 2 h of darkness was applied for all the LED treatments, whereas the control received 18 h of light and 6 h of darkness. Additionally, the immature embryo culture experiment used a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, assessing two safflower cultivars, two media types, and four embryo developmental stages, with three replications. The parameters evaluated included plant height, branch number, seed number per plant, seed number per head, time to flower initiation, time to 50% flowering, time to harvest, and germination percentage of in vitro cultured immature embryos at various developmental stages. The harvest time among the light treatments ranged from 50.62 to 73.12days, with the shortest time achieved under the red + blue + white LED combination and the longest under the control treatment. The plant height, number of seeds per plant, and number of seeds per head were highest under the full-spectrum LED, control and red + blue + white LED combinations, respectively. Immature embryos rescued at 10dayspost-pollination presented a 57% germination rate, with an increasing trend in germination as the number of dayspost-pollination increased. The germination rates did not significantly differ across varieties or hormone treatments. This study demonstrated the potential to achieve six generations per year by combining prolonged illumination with targeted LED lighting and immature embryo culture techniques. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing safflower growth and development and advancing speed breeding in controlled environments.

Synergistic role of rootstock and grafting in boosting growth, yield, and quality of cucumber cultivation

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a widely grown and highly valued cucurbitaceous vegetable crop, commanding premium prices in the vegetable market. However, intensive cultivation and monocropping practices have led to significant challenges in cucumber production, particularly in greenhouses, due to root-knot nematode and soil-borne diseases. Grafting has emerged as an alternative approach to boost abiotic stress tolerance and mitigate root diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens, thereby improving crop productivity. A study was conducted during 2023-2024 on the farmer’s field to explore the interactive effects of various grafting techniques by grafting a hybrid cucumber scion onto various local rootstocks. The experiment evaluated the performance of the hybrid cucumber scion Emistar, grafted onto four rootstocks: fig-leaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), ash gourd (Benincasa hispida), and bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria). Two grafting techniques-hole insertion and splice grafting, were tested using different scion-rootstock combinations. The study evaluated growth, yield, and fruit quality under controlled environmental conditions. The results indicated that the pumpkin rootstock outperformed the other rootstocks, particularly when grafted using the hole insertion techniques. This combination achieved the earliest flowering (26.33 days), longest plant growth (455.77 cm), and highest fruit yield (8.07 kg). In contrast, splice grafting on bottle gourd resulted in slower growth and lower yields. Additionally, hole insertion grafting on pumpkin produced superior fruit characteristics, including the longest fruits (16.43 cm), largest diameter (9.1cm), highest fruit weight (147.24 g), and the highest TSS content (2.85ºBrix). Correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted strong positive relationships between yield and growth traits, emphasizing the superiority of the pumpkin rootstock for cucumber grafting. The study showed vigorous rootstocks like pumpkin can significantly enhance cucumber growth and yield through improved nutrient uptake, hormone translocation, and optimized grafting techniques.

Beat the heat: wearable-based study of perceived heat stress and physiological strain in swiss track workers in a controlled climate chamber

Increasing temperatures pose new challenges for track workers (TWs), who endure prolonged exposure to extreme heat and humidity. New methods are critically needed to assess their performance and heat tolerance, aiming to mitigate workplace accidents and long-term health consequences. This study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of heat exposure on TWs, using wearable sensors to monitor key physiological parameters under controlled environmental conditions. Nineteen TWs participated in the study, which included two experimental sessions simulating different thermal environments: a typical Swiss summer night and a hot summer day. Participants' core body temperature, heart rate (HR), and skin temperature were monitored using wearable sensors, and physiological indexes were computed. In addition, perceptual strain index (PeSI) and psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) response times were recorded. Statistically significant increases in physiological parameters were observed under hotter conditions. The study identified statistically significant correlations between the PeSI and the physiological strain index and between PeSI and HR. Perceptual scores were consistently higher than the values derived from physiological measurements, suggesting a greater subjective experience of heat strain. The PVT response times were higher on the hotter day, reflecting increased cognitive strain due to heat exposure. The study highlights the critical impact of heat stress on TWs, with statistically significant increases in physiological and cognitive strain under higher temperatures. Future research should focus on real-world applications of heat strain monitoring.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in Brassica napus L. for tolerance to water stress.

Brassica napus L. plants are sensitive to water stress conditions throughout their life cycle from seed germination to seed setting. This study aims at identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to B. napus tolerance to water stress mimicked by applications of 10% polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000). Two doubled haploid populations, each consisting of 150 genotypes, were used for this research. Plants at the two true leaf stage of development were grown in the absence (control) or presence (stress) of PEG-6000 under controlled environmental conditions for 48h, and the drought stress index was calculated for each genotype. All genotypes, along with their parents, were genotyped using the Brassica Infinium 90K SNP BeadChip Array. Inclusive composite interval mapping was used to identify QTL. Six QTL and 12 putative QTL associated with water stress tolerance were identified across six chromosomes (A2, A3, A4, A9, C3, and C7). Collectively, 2154 candidate genes for water stress tolerance were identified for all the identified QTL. Among them, 213 genes were identified as being directly associated with water stress (imposed by PEG-6000) tolerance based on nine functional annotations. These results can be incorporated into future breeding initiatives to select plant material with the ability to cope effectively with water stress.

Growth, yield and anatomy of alpinia calcarata (&lt;em&gt;Heen Araththa&lt;/em&gt;) as affected by irrigation frequency

Alpinia calcarata, often known as Heen Araththa, is a precious medicinal plant owing to its chemical properties in herbal treatments. The growth, yield and anatomical features related to the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites of this plant are highly affected by drought stress. Therefore, this work investigated the influence of irrigation frequency on growth, yield and selected anatomical features of A. calcarata. Five levels of irrigation frequencies including daily watering (T1), 7-day (T2), 14-day (T3), 21-day (T4) and 28-day (T5) intervals were investigated in a protected plant house under controlled environmental conditions. A. calcarata rhizomes with a similar number of sprouting buds planted in common potting media (topsoil: sand: compost- 1:1:1) were arranged in Completely Randomized Design in triplicates. After three weeks of establishment, five distinct irrigation frequencies were implemented, with pots being watered daily up until that point. Growth and yield parameters (shoot height (cm), number of roots, number of shoots, number of leaves per shoot, leaf area (mm2), rhizome dry weight (g)) and the anatomical parameters (root epidermis thickness (μm), rhizome epidermis thickness (μm) and oil cell density (μm2)) were collected 10 weeks after establishment. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) employing the SAS analysis system. Results revealed that all selected growth, yield and anatomical parameters of A. calcarata were significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected by irrigation frequency. Significantly (p&lt;0.05) the highest mean shoot height (20.8cm), mean number of roots (11.3), mean number of shoots (6.8), mean rhizome dry weight (9.3g) and significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher mean leaf area (24.9mm2) and mean number of leaves per shoot (4) of A. calcarata weregiven by 14-day irrigation frequency. It was also observed that the mean root epidermis and rhizome thickness of A. calcarata gradually increased in response to escalating drought stress. In contrast, the highest oil cell density was observed under the lowest drought stress. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the most promising irrigation frequency for higher growth and yield of A. calcarata is watering with 14-day intervals. Daily watering appeared to be the most suitable treatment to enhance oil cell density associated with secondary metabolite production of A. calcarata.

Quantifying the Effects of Wind Turbulence on CO2 Flux Measurement in a Closed Chamber

This study aimed to investigate the effects of wind turbulence on CO2 transport within a medium and the extent of measurement errors in a closed chamber. Therefore, in a laboratory with controllable environmental conditions, the measurement performance of the closed chamber at various wind speeds was assessed using a soil respiration calibration apparatus and four types of porous media. The experimental results indicated that the closed chamber under the influence of wind turbulence exhibited varying degrees of underestimation, ranging from −51 to −6%. The effects of wind turbulence were more pronounced in sandy soils. As wind turbulence enhanced gas transport within the medium, the flux measurements of the closed chamber were biased, and this phenomenon was closely related to the medium’s particle size and surface wind speed. To address this issue, it is recommended to conduct long-term monitoring and eliminate errors by averaging repeated measurements, which will improve the accuracy of the ecosystem carbon budget.

Influence of Artificial Lighting on the Germination of Quina Seeds (Cinchona spp.) in Controlled Conditions Within a Geodesic Dome Powered by Photovoltaic Energy

This study evaluated the germination of Cinchona spp. seeds under controlled environmental conditions within a geodesic dome equipped with photovoltaic energy. The main objective was to assess how stable temperature and humidity, along with potassium nitrate (KNO3) and specific LED light treatments, affect the germination rate and plant growth. The results indicate that Cinchona spp. seeds germinate effectively inside the dome, even under temperature and humidity conditions that differ from their natural habitat. Among the evaluated conditions, the treatment with 1000 ppm of KNO3 and white LED light (LM 1000 ppm) showed the highest germination rate, achieving 72.5% with an average of 1.5 seeds germinated per day. Agronomic evaluations showed that this treatment also led to superior growth metrics, including an average plant height of 2.1 cm, an average leaf count of 3.6, and a dry weight of 0.0013 g. This research highlights the potential of controlled environments, such as geodesic domes, to optimize germination and early growth in endangered plant species. The combination of environmental control with KNO3 treatments offers a valuable approach to enhancing the propagation of Cinchona spp., providing practical implications for conservation and reforestation efforts. This work provides a foundation for further studies on optimizing germination and growth conditions for other native and endangered species in controlled environments.

Optimizing Battery Development: Integrating Air-Controlled and Cryogenic Electron Microscopy Workflows

The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting from traditional fossil fuel-based systems to sustainable, renewable energy sources like wind, solar, bioenergy, hydroelectric, and tidal energy. This transition signifies a significant evolution in global energy generation and consumption patterns, necessitating advanced energy storage solutions to manage the intermittent nature of renewables and ensure a stable and reliable energy supply. Advanced energy storage technologies, including batteries, supercapacitors, and other innovative systems, play a pivotal role in this transition by enabling effective load balancing, supporting the electrification of transportation through electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, managing peak demand, and facilitating the seamless integration of renewable energy into the grid. This evolution not only advances sustainability goals but also enhances energy security and independence. [1]Advanced analytical techniques are essential for developing energy storage systems, especially batteries, by providing critical insights into their complex chemical and physical processes. Battery materials' microstructure, composition, and operational dynamics can be explored using analytical techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and spectroscopy. The detailed analysis through these techniques is crucial for optimizing material properties, enhancing energy density, improving safety, and extending battery lifespan. By identifying degradation mechanisms and optimizing electrode and electrolyte materials, these techniques contribute to precise battery engineering. As demand grows for more efficient and higher-capacity batteries, these sophisticated tools are indispensable for advancing energy storage technology. [2]At Shell Technology Center Houston, we have developed air-controlled and cryogenic electron microscopy (EM) workflows for studying advanced energy storage systems in preparation for the energy transition. The air-controlled EM workflow, employing SEM, FIB, TEM, and XRD, plays a pivotal role in battery research by providing a controlled environment that prevents exposure to atmospheric elements that could alter material properties. These techniques are essential for examining the fine structural details and chemical compositions of battery components under near-native conditions. The cryo-EM workflow using SEM, FIB, and TEM is vital in battery research for studying materials and interfaces sensitive to environmental conditions or rapid degradation upon exposure. These cryogenic techniques involve rapid freezing of battery components to preserve their structure in a close-to-native state and prevent deleterious effects of air exposure such as oxidation or moisture interaction. [3]In our study, we present comprehensive results obtained using both air-controlled EM and cryogenic EM workflows to investigate advanced energy storage systems, including lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and beyond-LIBs such as multivalent rechargeable batteries. The utilization of air-controlled EM techniques such as SEM, FIB, TEM, and XRD allows us to examine battery components under controlled environmental conditions, ensuring accurate analysis of structural details and chemical compositions without the risk of atmospheric contamination. Additionally, the use of cryo-EM techniques, including cryo-SEM, cryo-FIB, and cryo-TEM, enables the study of sensitive battery materials and interfaces in a preserved, near-native state. These cryogenic methods prevent degradation effects such as oxidation and moisture interaction, providing unprecedented insights into the ultrastructural properties and operational dynamics of battery materials at atomic or molecular levels. By leveraging both air-controlled and cryogenic EM workflows, we have achieved a comprehensive understanding of battery mechanics and chemistry, paving the way for improved battery design and enhanced performance in energy storage applications.Reference[1] International Renewable Energy Agent (IRENA) 2021 https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Aug/Renewable-energy-statistics-2021[2] Tarascon, J.-M., Armand, M., Nature 414, 359–367 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35104644[3] Cheng, D., Lu, B., Raghavendran, G., Zhang, M., and Meng, Y. S., Matter, Volume 5, Issue 1, p26-42, 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2021.11.019

The performance of a 100 m3 outdoor atmospheric simulation chamber in China

A new outdoor atmospheric simulation chamber with a volume of ∼100 m3, the largest one in Asia, was recently constructed in the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China). This Atmospheric Environment Simulation System (AESS-RCEES) is a hemispherical-shaped photoreactor constructed using sixteen stainless-steel brackets covered by double-layer Teflon film, offering two advantages over other outdoor chambers: 1) The AESS-RCEES effectively minimizes the “greenhouse effect” by continuously circulating cooling air through the double layer, resulting in mean temperature differences between the inside and outside of around 12 °C in winter and 9 °C in summer. 2) The chamber can quickly introduce ambient air through a special inlet system, completely replacing the air inside within 45 min. Using AESS-RCEES, the wall loss rates of various gaseous species and ambient particles have been investigated, it was observed that the loss rates of ambient particles were significantly slower than those of artificial (NH4)2SO4 aerosol and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed by α-pinene ozonolysis. This suggests that the mixture of primary and SOA in the ambient air may have a longer lifetime than the aerosols generated individually. Investigation performed on propene/NOx photo-oxidation and α-pinene ozonolysis have shown that the AESS-RCEES is suitable for simulating atmospheric conditions and analyzing gas and particle chemical composition under controlled environmental conditions. This makes it a valuable platform for studying complex pollution and key chemical processes in the real atmosphere.

Identification of differences in digestive organ weight, bone mineral concentration, and ileal transcriptomic profiles of low and high weight broiler chicks

Abstract A growth monitoring study (0–7 day of age) was conducted involving 87, one-day old Ross 308 male broilers to evaluate organ weights, bone parameters and ileal transcriptomic profile of broiler chicks as influenced by day 7 bodyweight (BW) grouping. The chicks were raised in a deep-litter house under common controlled environmental conditions and commercial starter diet. Chicks were grouped on day 7 into two distinct BW, super performer (SP) and under performer (UP) with bodyweights &gt;260, and &lt;200 g respectively. Results revealed that the SP chicks had significantly higher bone ash, sodium (Na), phosphorus (P) and rubidium (Rb) concentrations compared to the UP chicks on D7. In contrast, the UP chicks had significantly higher tibial cadmium (Cd), caesium (Cs) and lead (Pb) compared to the SP group; the UP chicks also had proportionally heavier relative gizzard weight than the SP chicks. The ileal transcriptomic data revealed differentially expressed genes (DEG) between the two groups of chicks, with 150 upregulated and 83 down-regulated genes with a fold change of ≥1.25 or ≤ 1.25 in the SP chicks relative to the UP chicks. Furthermore, functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed that some of these DEG were involved in various pathways including calcium signalling, Wnt signalling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis. This study revealed that chicks of the same breed and of uniform environmental and diet management exhibited differences in digestive organ weights, tibial bone characteristics and ileal gene expression that may be related to BW.

Rock dust-based potting media enhances agronomic performance and nutritional quality of horticultural crops

The study evaluates the use of rock dust (RD)-based potting media in enhancing the agronomic performance and nutritional quality of amaranth, kale, and lettuce under controlled environmental conditions. A total of ten growth media formulations, including: 1) 100 % RD (RD), 2) 50 % RD+50 % Topsoil (RDT), 3) 50 % RD + 25 % Biochar + 25 % Promix (RBP) 4) 100 % Topsoil (TS), 5) 25 % RD + 75 % Topsoil (RT), 6) Huplaso (negative control), 7) 50 % RD + 25 % compost + 25 % promix (RCP), 8) 50 % RD + 50 % Promix (RP), 9) Promix (P) (Control), and 10) 50 % RD + 50 % Biochar (RB) were evaluated. The addition of RD to media resulted in a significantly higher root-shoot ratio in amaranth and lettuce. The RCP, RBP, and control showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in total biomass (TBM) and the number of leaves in kale and lettuce during crop cycles. The total antioxidant content of lettuce showed a significant increase in RT>RCP>RD over the control P. Lettuce crops grown in RB had the highest consumer preference based on size and overall appearance. Overall, this study demonstrated an increase in total microminerals, fresh weight, total biomass, MUFA (monosaturated fatty acid), protein content, and antioxidants in plant tissue produced using RD-based media amendments. This is supported by the strong association observed between the media quality and the agronomic performance as well as the nutritional composition. The results suggest RD-based amendments (RCP, RBP, RB, and RP) could be used as suitable, sustainable, and cost-effective media amendments for improving the growth and nutritional composition of vegetable crops, limiting the environmental disposal of RD following precious metal mining. Further optimization of the above media would enhance its utility for vegetable production in different crop management systems.

Characterization of Schiff base self-healing hydrogels by dynamic speckle pattern analysis

Self-healing hydrogels are emerging materials capable of restoring functionality after damage, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery. In this study, we synthesize and characterize a novel biodegradable, conductive, and self-healing hydrogel. The synthesis is based on a Schiff base formed between gelatin and hyaluronic acid, and the dynamic reversible Schiff base bond provides the self-healing property. To characterize and assess the self-healing behavior of the hydrogel, dynamic speckle pattern (DSP) analysis is introduced as a non-destructive, non-contact, and easy-to-implement method. Speckle patterns are formed upon scattering of laser light from a diffusive matter and includes a huge overall information about the sample, to be extracted by statistical processing. DSP analysis is employed to monitor the self-healing process of the hydrogel at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. Experimental procedure involve in situ acquisition of speckle patterns over time under controlled environmental conditions, followed by statistical analysis to evaluate the internal dynamics of the healing process. Several statistical parameters are computed for real-time monitoring of the self-healing property of the hydrogel. The findings, on the one hand, underscore the potential of Schiff base hydrogels in advanced biomedical applications where self-healing properties are critical for sustained performance and longevity. On the other hand, the introduced analysis method shows its potential to serve as an effective approach for biomaterial characterization.

Rice Response to Struvite and Other Phosphorus Fertilizers in a Phosphorus-Deficient Soil Under Simulated Furrow-irrigation

AbstractWastewater-recovered phosphorus (P), in the form of the mineral struvite (MgNH4PO4⋅6H2O), may provide a sustainable alternative to decreasing rock-phosphate reserves. Struvite can be generated via precipitation methods, potentially reducing the amount of P runoff to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this greenhouse tub study was to evaluate the effects of chemically- and electrochemically precipitated struvite (CPST and ECST, respectively) on above- and belowground plant response in a hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) cultivar grown using furrow-irrigation compared to other common fertilizer-P sources [i.e., triple super phosphate (TSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP)]. Rice was grown in tubs in controlled environmental conditions in a greenhouse for a full growing season in a P-deficient, silt-loam soil (Typic Glossaqualfs). Plant nutrients (i.e., N. P. K. Mg, Zn) were determined at the end of the growing season through Mehlich-3 extraction. Below- and aboveground rice dry matter (DM), root-P concentration and uptake, aboveground tissue-P uptake, total aboveground and total plant DM, grain yield, and grain P uptake from CPST and ECST did not differ from DAP or TSP. However, aboveground tissue-P concentration was greater (P &lt; 0.05) from TSP (0.05%) than from ECST, CPST, and the unamended control (UC). Total aboveground (i.e., vegetative plus grain) tissue-P uptake was largest (P &lt; 0.05) from TSP (4.8 g m− 2), which did not differ from DAP or CPST, and was at least 1.1 times greater than from ECST and the UC. Despite only a few differences from the UC, the many similar rice responses among struvite and other common fertilizer-P sources suggest that struvite, especially ECST, is a potential alternative fertilizer-P source that warrants further research into struvite’s role in food production.

Rapid transfer of the leaf rust resistance gene Lr52 for the improvement of bread wheat cultivar HD3086

For varietal improvement, parental genotypes are crossed and advanced to generate homozygous lines with selection for desirable traits like disease resistance and yield. In the current study, leaf rust resistance gene Lr52 from Lr52/Yr47/2∗Mace, the donor parent (DP), transferred to the recurrent parent (RP) HD3086, a popular Indian wheat cultivar, which has become susceptible to leaf rust. During the backcross breeding, the plants were grown sequentially under natural field conditions during the winter season and under controlled environmental conditions to take two crop generations during the summer season. Generations comprising F1, BC1F1, and BC2F1-3 plants were developed by crossing and successive backcrossing with RP HD3086 and further selfing to generate homozygous resistant lines. Plants with leaf rust resistance in backcross generations were selected phenotypically to identify the superior or similar plants as of RP HD3086. The Lr52/Yr47-linked SSR marker icg16c004_2 was initially utilized to confirm hybridity and foreground analysis in the BC1F1 generation but was found to be recombinant. Homozygous resistant (HR) lines in BC2F3 generation were selected based on leaf rust disease score and phenome recovery. Finally, the SSR markers unveiling parental polymorphism across the genome were employed to estimate the background recovery of phenotypically selected superior plants, revealing a recovery of 91.48–94.81 % of RP genome. The selected improved lines of HD3086+Lr52 displayed similar performance for most agro-morphological traits, and a few lines were also found to yield significantly superior to that of RP HD3086. Overall, the study shows the practical utility of phenotypic selection with intermittent selection under controlled and natural field conditions for improving popular cultivars with relatively higher speed and precision.

Comparative analysis of non-standardised aging methods for asphalt binder against standard laboratory aging and natural field aging

ABSTRACT This research investigates non-standardised and natural field aging methods, in comparison with standardised ones. Aging in the Rotational Viscometer (RV) for 24 hours was studied. Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV) aging time and film thickness were changed and compared with standard rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and field-aged binders. Finally, a conventional binder preserved from external conditions was tested over 24 months. Results showed that PAV-aged binders may exhibit greater susceptibility to changes captured by RV. The study also noted a higher increase in viscosities at lower shear rates over time in the RV. However, rheological results did not align with RV findings across all binders. Altering asphalt film thickness in the PAV from 32.5 mm to 25 ± 1 mm has a comparable effect to standard RTFO when the original binder is aged directly in the PAV for the same period of time. The recovered asphalt binder from a 15-year-old pavement showed similarities to 25–30 hours for high-temperature measures, and 55 hours for fatigue parameters indicating inconsistency between laboratory and filed aging. Finally, chemical changes indicated by carbonyl index showed that after 24 months of controlled environmental conditions, a conventional binder exhibited only 44% increase in the index compared to RTFO.

Defective Pennywort Leaf Detection Using Machine Vision and Mask R-CNN Model

Demand and market value for pennywort largely depend on the quality of the leaves, which can be affected by various ambient environment or fertigation variables during cultivation. Although early detection of defects in pennywort leaves would enable growers to take quick action, conventional manual detection is laborious and time consuming as well as subjective. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop an automatic leaf defect detection algorithm for pennywort plants grown under controlled environment conditions, using machine vision and deep learning techniques. Leaf images were captured from pennywort plants grown in an ebb-and-flow hydroponic system under fluorescent light conditions in a controlled plant factory environment. Physically or biologically damaged leaves (e.g., curled, creased, discolored, misshapen, or brown spotted) were classified as defective leaves. Images were annotated using an online tool, and Mask R-CNN models were implemented with the integrated attention mechanisms, convolutional block attention module (CBAM) and coordinate attention (CA) and compared for improved image feature extraction. Transfer learning was employed to train the model with a smaller dataset, effectively reducing processing time. The improved models demonstrated significant advancements in accuracy and precision, with the CA-augmented model achieving the highest metrics, including a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.931 and an accuracy of 0.937. These enhancements enabled more precise localization and classification of leaf defects, outperforming the baseline Mask R-CNN model in complex visual recognition tasks. The final model was robust, effectively distinguishing defective leaves in challenging scenarios, making it highly suitable for applications in precision agriculture. Future research can build on this modeling framework, exploring additional variables to identify specific leaf abnormalities at earlier growth stages, which is crucial for production quality assurance.

Impact of aeroponic cultivation and plant growth regulators on the biochemical composition of grapevine leaves

Background: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a globally important perennial fruit crop, renowned for its economic value and cultural significance. Grape leaves, while often underappreciated, play a vital role in culinary traditions and are valued for their cultural, nutritional, and health benefits. However, the availability of grape leaves is constrained by viticulture practices and chemical treatments that prioritize fruit production over leaf harvesting. This study seeks to compare the biochemical characteristics of grapevine leaves from the cultivar 'Deghin Yerevani' grown from virus-free, tissue-cultured plants under aeroponic and soil conditions within a greenhouse. Objective: To evaluate the impact of aeroponic versus soil-based cultivation and the application of specific growth regulators on the biochemical composition and nutrient content of 'Deghin Yerevani' grapevine leaves, with the goal of optimizing conditions for high-quality leaf production. Materials and Methods: This study, conducted from 2021 to 2023 at the Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, ANAU, utilized virus-free in vitro plants of Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Deghin Yerevani', sourced from the National Grape Field Collection. Plants were cultured in four treatment groups with varying growth media compositions: PGR-free, with Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), with IAA and Gibberellic acid (GA₃), and with IAA, GA₃, and 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP). Post-culturing, plants were transferred to either an aeroponic system, which used a misting cycle and maintained controlled environmental conditions, or to a greenhouse with a defined soil mix and monitored moisture levels. Both systems operated for 8 weeks, with each treatment replicated three times. Chlorophylls a and b, ascorbic acid, sugars, and macro- and micronutrient contents were analyzed, and statistical significance was determined using standard error and Student’s t-test (p &lt; 0.05). Results: Grapevine leaves from 'Deghin Yerevani' plants grown in aeroponic systems exhibited significantly higher chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll compared to those grown in soil. Growth regulators, particularly IAA, GA3, and BAP, enhanced chlorophyll content, sugar levels, and Vitamin C across both cultivation methods. Aeroponic systems showed superior results with increased sugar content (5.7 g/100g) and Vitamin C (20.4 mg/100g) compared to soil-based cultivation. Nutrient analysis revealed higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in aeroponics. Overall, growth regulators and aeroponic cultivation improved the biochemical and nutrient profiles of grapevine leaves. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that aeroponic cultivation and the application of growth regulators significantly enhanced the biochemical composition of grapevine leaves. Higher levels of chlorophyll, sugar, and Vitamin C, along with improved nutrient content, were observed in aeroponic systems compared to soil-based cultivation. These findings underscore the benefits of aeroponics and growth regulators in optimizing grapevine leaf quality, suggesting potential for improved yield and nutritional value in grapevine production. Keywords: 'Deghin Yerevani', grapevine, in vitro propagation, functional foods, Aeroponic Cultivation, Plant Growth Regulators