Full Head Research Articles

Towards a Complete 3D Morphable Model of the Human Head

Three-dimensional morphable models (3DMMs) are powerful statistical tools for representing the 3D shapes and textures of an object class. Here we present the most complete 3DMM of the human head to date that includes face, cranium, ears, eyes, teeth and tongue. To achieve this, we propose two methods for combining existing 3DMMs of different overlapping head parts: (i). use a regressor to complete missing parts of one model using the other, and (ii). use the Gaussian Process framework to blend covariance matrices from multiple models. Thus, we build a new combined face-and-head shape model that blends the variability and facial detail of an existing face model (the LSFM) with the full head modelling capability of an existing head model (the LYHM). Then we construct and fuse a highly-detailed ear model to extend the variation of the ear shape. Eye and eye region models are incorporated into the head model, along with basic models of the teeth, tongue and inner mouth cavity. The new model achieves state-of-the-art performance. We use our model to reconstruct full head representations from single, unconstrained images allowing us to parameterize craniofacial shape and texture, along with the ear shape, eye gaze and eye color.

Special features of productivity and seed quality development of winter triticale varieties under the influence of technological methods

The article provides the results of three year (2017-2019) study of the effect of pre-sowing treatment of seeds and foliar fertilizing on productivity and seed qualities of winter triticale varieties (×Triticosecale Wittmack.) Izhevskaya 2 and Zimogor. The research was carried out in the conditions of the Udmurt Republic. Pre-sowing seed treatment was done with fungicide Vial TT, compound fertilizer Agree’s Forsazh and plant growth stimulant Mival-Agro in their pure form, with tank mixtures containing Vial TT fungicide, and with mineral fertilizer Emix. Foliar feeding with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassi-um compound fertilizer was done once during the phase of spring tillering and twice - during the phases of spring tillering and full heading. Pre-sowing seed treatment combined with foliar fertilizing provided an increase in yield productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds by 0.07-0.55 t/ha (or 3-24 %), of Zimogor variety – up to 0.27 t/ha (or up to 11 %). The techno-logical practices promoted the increase in the laboratory germination of seeds by varieties – 1-2 % (control 91 %) and 2-3 % (control 88 %), respectively, germinative power – 2-4 and 1-2 % (control 93 %), respectively, degree of seedling development in both varieties – by 0.1-0.3 points (control – 4.5 and 3.7 points). The highest productivity of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds (2.85 t/ha for 3 years on the average) has been obtained by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh and foliar fertilizing during the phase of spring tillering that is higher than in the control variant by 0.55t/ha (or 24 %). The increase in yield productivity of winter triticale Zimigor seeds up to 2.81 % (addition to the control is 0.24t/ha or 11 %) was promoted by pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Agree’s Forsazh regardless of multiplicity of foliar fertilizing. The seeds obtained were characterized by high sowing qualities of seeds: the germinating energy of Izhevskaya 2 variety seeds was 85 %, of Zimogor variety – 82 %, the laboratory germination – 93 % and 92 % , respectively, the germinative power – 97 % and 94-95 %. Double foliar fertilizing with Agree’s Nitrogen Potassium combined with pre-sowing treatment with Vial TT, Mival-Agro and their tank mixtures showed high effectiveness in Zimogor variety. Seed productivity in both of these variants was at the same level (2.73 t/ha). The above-mentioned practices can be successfully used when producing winter triticale seeds.

Reduction of Soil Cadmium Activity and Rice Cadmium Content by 4-year-consecutive Application of Organic Fertilizer

Because commercial organic fertilizers may contain cadmium (Cd) and may cause the dual effect of "inhibition" and "activation" on Cd availability in paddy soil with organic fertilizer input, the reduction of rice Cd following organic fertilizer application is still uncertain. Herewith, typical purple mud paddy fields were selected in the eastern Hunan Province. The effect of commercial organic fertilizer input on Cd reduction of double-rice paddy ecosystem was monitored for four consecutive years. The relationships between brown rice Cd content, soil available Cd, and soil factors (pH, soil labile organic carbon fractions, and iron oxide) at different growth stages in double-rice paddy fields were investigated. Results showed that the input of organic fertilizer reduced the Cd content in brown rice by 28%-56%. Meanwhile, the decrease of Cd content in brown rice of late rice (43%-56%) was higher than that of early rice (28%-45%), and the inter-annual fluctuation of the decrease was relatively small. On the one hand, soil available Cd content decreased by 6%-7% during several growth stages of double-rice (from tillering peak stage to full heading stage) with organic fertilizer input. Additionally, the content of soil exchangeable Cd was decreased by 11%, whereas the content of organic bound Cd was increased by 14%. This directly reflects the decrease of soil Cd availability. On the other hand, the soil pH value was steadily increased by 0.1-0.3 units following organic fertilizer input, which promoted the development of soil from acidity to slight acidity. Besides, the content of soil active organic carbon (light fraction organic carbon, coarse particulate organic carbon, and fine particulate organic carbon) was increased significantly (53%, 77%, and 107%, respectively). This indirectly reflects the decrease in soil Cd availability. This study implies that the decrease of soil Cd availability may be the primary driving force for the reduction of rice Cd content with consecutive organic fertilizer input in purple mud paddy fields.

Precautions for Intubating Patients with COVID-19.

Precautions for Intubating Patients with COVID-19.

Enhancing xanthine dehydrogenase activity is an effective way to delay leaf senescence and increase rice yield

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is an important enzyme in purine metabolism. It is involved in regulation of the normal growth and non-biological stress-induced ageing processes in plants. The present study investigated XDH’s role in regulating rice leaf senescence. We measured physical characteristics, chlorophyll content and fluorescence parameters, active oxygen metabolism, and purine metabolism in wild-type Kitaake rice (Oryza sativa L.), an OsXDH over-expression transgenic line (OE9), and an OsXDH RNA interference line (Ri3) during different growth stages. The expression patterns of the OsXDH gene confirmed that XDH was involved in the regulation of normal and abiotic stress-induced ageing processes in rice. There was no significant difference between the phenotypes of transgenic lines and wild type at the seedling stage, but differences were observed at the full heading and maturation stages. The OE9 plants were taller, with higher chlorophyll content, and their photosystems had stronger light energy absorption, transmission, dissipation, and distribution capacity, which ultimately improved the seed setting rate and 1000-seed weight. The opposite effect was found in the Ri3 plants. The OE9 line had a strong ability to remove reactive oxygen species, with increased accumulation of allantoin and alantoate. Experimental spraying of allantoin on leaves showed that it could alleviate chlorophyll degradation and decrease the content of H2O2 and malonaldehyde (MDA) in rice leaves after the full heading stage. The urate oxidase gene (UO) expression levels in the interference line were significantly lower than those in the over-expression line and wild-type lines. The allantoinase (ALN) and allantoate amidinohydrolase (AAH) genes had significantly higher expression in the Ri3 plants than the in OE9 or wild-type plants, with OE9 plants showing the lowest levels. The senescence-related genes ACD1, WRKY23, WRKY53, SGR, XERO1, and GH27 in Ri3 plants had the highest expression levels, followed by those in the wild-type plants, with OE9 plants showing the lowest levels. These results suggest that enhanced activity of XDH can regulate the synthesis of urea-related substances, improve plant antioxidant capacity, effectively delay the ageing process in rice leaves, and increase rice yield.

Real-time computer vision system for tracking simultaneously subject-specific rigid head and non-rigid facial mimic movements using a contactless sensor and system of systems approach

Background and ObjectiveHead and facial mimic animations play important roles in various fields such as human-machine interactions, internet communications, multimedia applications, and facial mimic analysis. Numerous studies have been trying to simulate these animations. However, they hardly achieved all requirements of full rigid head and non-rigid facial mimic animations in a subject-specific manner with real-time framerates. Consequently, this present study aimed to develop a real-time computer vision system for tracking simultaneously rigid head and non-rigid facial mimic movements. MethodsOur system was developed using the system of systems approach. A data acquisition sub-system was implemented using a contactless Kinect sensor. A subject-specific model generation sub-system was designed to create the geometrical model from the Kinect sensor without texture information. A subject-specific texture generation sub-system was designed for enhancing the reality of the generated model with texture information. A head animation sub-system with graphical user interfaces was also developed. Model accuracy and system performances were analyzed. ResultsThe comparison with MRI-based model shows a very good accuracy level (distance deviation of ~1 mm in neutral position and an error range of [2–3 mm] for different facial mimic positions) for the generated model from our system. Moreover, the system speed can be optimized to reach a high framerate (up to 60 fps) during different head and facial mimic animations. ConclusionsThis study presents a novel computer vision system for tracking simultaneously subject-specific rigid head and non-rigid facial mimic movements in real time. In perspectives, serious game technology will be integrated into this system towards a full computer-aided decision support system for facial rehabilitation.

County marshal of nobility in the system of local government and self-government in Belarus (1861–1914)

The article discusses the role and place of the marshal of nobility in the system of county administration and self-government in the post-reform period. The object of the study is the institute of county marshals of nobility in the Belarusian provinces in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century. The study deterncines the changes in the government policy of the Russian autocracy related to the noble elections in Belarus after the 1863–1864 uprising. The main functions of County leaders in the sphere of class self-government are revealed. The main directions of activity of local heads of nobility in management of administrative district institutions are shown. The characteristics of the functioning of the institute of county marshals of nobility on the territory of Belarus are given. As a result of analysis of the laws the conclusion is made that the marshal of the nobility took the place of a full head of county, and during the period under review, the trend of expanding the powers of the marshals of nobility, testified to their transformation from in-class bodies in administrative, public bodies.

Human Postural Control Under High Levels of Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Fields

Background: International agencies such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety (ICES) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) need further data to set international guidelines to protect workers and the public from potential adverse effects to Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (ELF-MF). Interestingly, electromagnetic induction has been hypothesized to impact human vestibular function (i.e. through induced electric fields). To date, a theoretical 4 T/s vestibular threshold was proposed to modulate postural control, but data is lacking above this limit. Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the impact of full head homogeneous ELF-MF stimulations above the 4 T/s threshold on human postural control. Methods: Postural control of twenty healthy participants was analyzed while full head homogeneous ELF-MF stimulations (20 Hz, 60 Hz, and 90 Hz) up to 40 T/s were applied. Velocity, main direction and spatial dispersion of sway were used to investigate postural modulations. Results: Despite a conclusive positive control effect, no significant effects of ELF-MF exposures on velocity, spatial dispersion, and direction of the postural sway were found for our 3 frequency conditions. Conclusions: The homogeneous full head MF stimulations oriented vertically and delivered at high frequencies induced E-fields having a weaker impact than anticipated, possibly because they impacted only a small portion of the vestibular system. This resulted in an absence of effect on postural control outcomes.

Pediculosis among school children in a primary school in Millij Village, Menoufia Governorate

Objectives To determine the prevalence of pediculosis among school children and possible risk factors. Background Pediculosis capitis is an obligate ectoparasite that only affects the human scalp. Pediculosis (i.e., louse infestation) dates back to prehistory. The oldest known fossils of louse eggs (i.e., nits) are ~10 000 years old. Patients and methods This was an analytic cross-section study. The calculated sample size was 355 participants from the children attending the health unit with their families during the period from December 2013 to June 2014 in Millij Village. All students were evaluated through history taking and completing medical examination followed by laboratory investigations, including hemoglobin %, urine, and stool analyses. A full head examination was conducted by using a hand lens. A child was considered infested if alive or dead lice or eggs were found. Children were classified into two groups: group I Shad pediculosis and group II did not have pediculosis. Statistical presentation and analysis of the present study was conducted by using the mean, SD, and Student test for weight and height, as well as number, percentage, and χ2 test by SPSS, version 8. Results The prevalence rate of pediculosis among the studied children was 35.8%. There were significant differences (P 0.05). There were statistically significant differences (P 0.05) between group I and group II regarding clinical examination, except for pallor or anemia, which exhibited a significant difference (P Conclusion Pediculosis affected more than one-third of the studied school children. Prevalence of pediculosis was very high in grade 4, which was 54.7%. Moreover, the percent of anemia was 57.9%.

Ultrasound Diagnostic Value in Assessment of Vocal Cord Mobility before Neck Surgery

AbstractBackground: The preoperative assessment of vocal cord mobility in patient scheduled for neck surgery is mandatory. The diagnostic approach differs from traditional ones as flexible fiberoptic, indirect laryngoscopy, to less tradition ones as CT and MRI.Ultrasound is non invasive, safe, repeatable, bedside, non ionizing radiation dependent technique together with the advancement of technology providing high resolution real time images and short cine videos. This is hand to hand with good patient compliance for the technique.Aim of Study: To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultra-sound in the assessment of vocal cords mobility before neck surgeries.Patients and Methods: This cross section study was carried out between October 2016 and November 2018 on 60 patients (25 males and 35 females) in Ain Shams University Hospitals. They were all scheduled for neck surgeries for different reasons. After taking full clinical history, complete head and neck examination, flexible fiberoptic and/or indirect laryn-goscopy, patients underwent sonographic examination. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group (I) with no clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of vocal foldparalysis. The second group (II) with unilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis. The acquired static photos and dynamic cine videos were accurately examined to delineate various laryngeal structures and to assess interarytenoid distances and arytenoid cartilage mobility during full inspiration and during phonation.Results: After identification of laryngeal structures, we could identify in recorded cine videos immobile arytenoids cartilage on the paralytic side during both inspiration and phonation with sensitivity (80%), specificity (90%), PPV (80%) and NPV (90%). Another important finding is noted that the percent of change in interarytenoid distances was much less in group II than in group I.Conclusion: Preoperative ultrasound examination of vocal cord mobility proved to be valid identifying the various laryngeal structures with high potency in judging vocal cord mobility either by short real time cine videos or measuring interarytenoid distances. We recommend to consider laryngeal ultrasound as reliable imaging modality in preoperative as-sessment of vocal cord mobility prior to neck surgery.

The Full Color See-through Head Mounted Display Based on Transmission-type Holographic Optical Elements and Parallel Plane Mirrors

Proceedings of the International Display Workshops Volume 26 (IDW '19),The Full Color See-through Head Mounted Display Based on Transmission-type Holographic Optical Elements and Parallel Plane Mirrors

The Full Color See-through Head Mounted Display Based on Transmission-type Holographic Optical Elements and Parallel Plane Mirrors

The Full Color See-through Head Mounted Display Based on Transmission-type Holographic Optical Elements and Parallel Plane Mirrors

Statistical Modeling of Craniofacial Shape and Texture

We present a fully-automatic statistical 3D shape modeling approach and apply it to a large dataset of 3D images, the Headspace dataset, thus generating the first public shape-and-texture 3D morphable model (3DMM) of the full human head. Our approach is the first to employ a template that adapts to the dataset subject before dense morphing. This is fully automatic and achieved using 2D facial landmarking, projection to 3D shape, and mesh editing. In dense template morphing, we improve on the well-known Coherent Point Drift algorithm, by incorporating iterative data-sampling and alignment. Our evaluations demonstrate that our method has better performance in correspondence accuracy and modeling ability when compared with other competing algorithms. We propose a texture map refinement scheme to build high quality texture maps and texture model. We present several applications that include the first clinical use of craniofacial 3DMMs in the assessment of different types of surgical intervention applied to a craniosynostosis patient group.

Development and validation of a 1.5T MR-Linac full accelerator head and cryostat model for Monte Carlo dose simulations.

To develop, implement, and validate a full 1.5T/7MV magnetic resonance (MR)-Linac accelerator head and cryostat model in EGSnrc for high precision dose calculations accounting for magnetic field effects that are independent from the vendor treatment planning system. Primary electron beam parameters for the implemented model were adapted to be in accordance with measured dose profiles of the Elekta Unity (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Parameters to be investigated were the mean electron energy as well as the Gaussian radial intensity and energy distributions. Energy tuning was done comparing depth dose profiles simulated with monoenergetic beams of varying energies to measurements. The optimum radial intensity distribution was found by varying the radial full width at half maximum (FWHM) and comparing simulated and measured lateral profiles. The influence of the energy distribution was investigated by comparing simulated lateral and depth dose profiles with varying energy spreads to measured data. Comparison of simulations and measurements was performed by calculating average and maximum local dose deviations. The model was validated recalculating a clinical intensity-modulated radiation therapy plan for the MR-Linac and comparing the resulting dose distribution with simulations from the commercial treatment planning system Monaco using the gamma criterion. Comparison of simulated and measured data showed that the optimum initial electron beam for MR-Linac simulations was monoenergetic with an electron energy of (7.4±0.2)MeV. The optimum Gaussian radial intensity distribution has a FWHM of (2.2±0.3)mm. The average relative deviations were smaller than 1% for all simulated profiles with optimum electron parameters, whereas the largest maximum deviation of 2.07% was found for the 22×22cm cross-plane profile. Profiles were insensitive to energy spread variations. The IMRT plan recalculated with the final MR-Linac model with optimized initial electron beam parameters showed a gamma pass rate of 99.83 % using a gamma criterion of 3%/3mm. The EGSnrc MR-Linac model developed in this study showed good accordance with measurements and was successfully used to recalculate a first full clinical IMRT treatment plan. Thus, it shows the general possibility for future secondary dose calculations of full IMRT plans with EGSnrc, which needs further detailed investigations before clinical use.

Augmenting a 3D morphable model of the human head with high resolution ears

We present a parts-based 3D Morphable Model (3DMM) of the full human head, with particular emphasis on modelling the complex shape of the ear as a flexible, high-resolution separate part. The 3D ear model part undergoes an iterative process of refinement that employs data augmentation using a 2D image dataset with landmarked ears. Evaluations using several performance metrics validate the training process and the resulting model. We make the new ear model and our reconstructed training dataset publicly available. We merge the trained high-resolution 3DMM of the ear with a publicly-available 3DMM of the full head that has a much lower resolution in the ear regions. The resulting parts-based 3DMM provides more shape variation and more shape detail in the ears, and we demonstrate a higher fidelity overall model fit to raw data.

Application of bone-retaining femoral stem prosthesis in young patients with Dorr C femoral medullary cavity

To assess the clinical efficacy of Tri-Lock bio-short prosthesis in artificial total hip arthroplasty(THA) in young patients with Dorr type C femoral medullary cavity. From January 2010 to January 2014, 35 young patients(37 hips) with in the chimney-like femoral medullary cavity received Tri-Lock BPS prosthesis of THA, including 18 males(20 hips) and 17 females with an average age of (32.2±3.0) years old ranging from 21.2 to 38.5 years old. There were 16 cases of rheumatoid hip arthritis (17 hips), 8 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (9 hips), and 11 cases of aseptic necrosis of femoral head (11 hips). All cases were complicated with different degrees of osteoporosis. According to Singh index, 26 cases were classified as Grade III and 9 cases as Grade II. Biological prostheses were used for the acetabulum, with ceramic lining and full ceramic femoral head. The proximal femoral medullary cavity was Dorr type C on anteroposterior X-ray. After replacement, X-ray examination was performed to locate the prosthesis stem. Engh and Harris criteria were used to evaluate the stability of bone-prosthesis interface and hip function, respectively. Changes of hip movement pre-operation and at last follow-up were compared. All patients were followed up for 18 to 45 months(means 33.8 months). Harris hip scores in 35 cases (37 hips) increased significantly from preoperative 61.8±3.0 (51.2 to 73.5) to 93.3±6.5 (92.5 to 98.8) points at last follow-up (t=54.745, P<0.01). The hip mobility increased from (46.5±8.0)°(0° to 55°) before surgery to(101.2±10.5)°(85° to 130°) at the last follow-up, the difference was statistically significant(t=133.091, P<0.01). Immediately after surgery, the prostheses were tightly packed with the medullary cavity. At the final follow-up, 17 hips had significant femur cortical bone thickening;12 hips had varying degrees of stress occlusal bone resorption at proximal femoral, including 9 degree I(low femur density, round and blunt) and 3 degree II(involving small rotor) hips. Meanwhile, 15 hips had significant femur cortical bone thickening without thigh pain. The cone-shaped short Tri-lock biological short-stem can fill Dorr C chimney-like medullary cavity and effectively retain good proximal femoral bone mass. Titanium microporous coating on the surface can effectively increase the friction of the prosthesis. The short-stem end in the medullary cavity can effectively avoid the occurrence of coxa varus.

Determination of the most susceptible phenological stage of rice panicles to infection by species of Fusarium graminearum

ABSTRACT Occurrence of rice seeds infected by Fusarium graminearum has shown the importance of identifying the most favorable phenological stage of panicles to grain infection. The experiments were conducted in two crop seasons under greenhouse conditions, using the rice hybrid INOV CL. The phenological stages during inoculation were complete booting, full heading and flowering. All plots were inoculated using two isolates of Fusarium graminearium species complex 15A (F. graminearium - 15-ADON) and FmNiv (F. meridionale - Nivalenol). Disease severity was estimated at weekly intervals and was used to calculate the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), while panicles were collected to determine the percentage of spotted grains and Fusarium incidence. Percentage of spotted grains and incidence of F. graminearum and F. meridionale were greater when inoculation was made during flowering stage, significantly differing from heading and booting stages. Rice flowering stage is more susceptible to infection by F. graminearum and F. meridionale, inducing higher disease severity and incidence of spotted grains, as well as presence of fungi in the grains. Flowering was the most susceptible stage in the two crop seasons for both isolates, and the complete booting stage presented the lowest values of AUDPC.

A Comparative Study between Open-faced and Closed-faced Masks for Head and Neck Cancer in Radiation Therapy

The standard of care for the immobilization of head and neck (HN) radiotherapy (RT) patients is the full head thermoplastic mask. However, full head thermoplastic masks can cause discomfort for many patients, in some instances triggering anxiety that can disrupt radiotherapy. Development of new open-face masks allows an alternative immobilization equipment for HN radiotherapy, with the aim of increased comfort with comparable, if not increased reproducibility. As such, the study aims to determine the setup reproducibility in the radiation treatment of HN patients using open face head and shoulder masks (OHSM) with customized headrest (HR) versus standard closed head and shoulder masks (CHSM) and to determine the patient’s level of comfort and satisfaction for both masks. Forty patients were prospectively randomized into two groups using simple random sampling with Microsoft Excel. Group 1 was subjected to a CHSM, immobilized with a standard HR (SHR) and Group 2, to an OHSM, with a customized HR (CHR). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken the first 3 days, followed by weekly CBCT (prior treatment) with the results registered to the planning CT to determine the translational and rotational inter-fraction shifts and to verify accuracy. Systematic and random setup errors of the 2 arms in the anterior, superior, lateral and rotational directions were computed. Absolute shift values and proportional treatment accuracy were compared between the 2 groups using both parametric (independent t-test) and non-parametric (Mann-Whitney U test) tests. Patient’s comfort and satisfaction were assessed both at CT-scan time and at RT using 4 Likert-type scale questions including tightness of the mask, perceived anxiousness, neck and shoulder comfort and overall satisfaction; for each item, scores were compared between the two masks using Mann-Whitney U test. Analysis used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 21.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA). The absolute shifts in the vertical, lateral and longitudinal direction as well as Z/roll axis were not significantly different between the two masks. X/yaw and Y/pitch rotational shifts were significantly greater in Group 2 versus Group 1, for both systematic (p=0.031 and 0.021 respectively) and random settings (p=0.026 and 0.040 respectively) but still within three degrees. In terms of proportional accuracy, OHSM had a tendency to be more accurate than the CHSM in lateral (37.1% versus 28.6%), longitudinal (25.0% versus 19.1%) and vertical (33.3% versus 28.6%) planes at ±0.05cm accuracy cutoff, respectively; however, these results were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Patients reported greater neck and shoulder comfort (p=0.020) and overall satisfaction (p=0.026) using the OHSM with the CHR versus the CHSM with the SHR during CT simulation. Open masks with CHR provide comparable yet comfortable immobilization to closed masks with SHR, for HN radiotherapy.

Bald and Bad?

. According to (a) the beauty ideal of a full head of hair and (b) the physical attractiveness stereotype (PAS; “what is beautiful is good”), bald men should appear less attractive than nonbald men, not only physically but also socially. To explain inconsistent results on this prediction in previous research, we suggest two antagonistic processes: the automatic activation of the PAS at the implicit level and its suppression at the explicit level, the latter process selectively triggered by individuating information about the target person. In line with this account, we only found negative social attractiveness ratings for bald men by same-aged women when individuating target information was lacking (Experiment 1). In contrast, irrespective of whether individuating information was available or not, we reliably found evidence for the PAS in different implicit paradigms (the implicit association test in Experiment 2 and a source monitoring task in Experiment 3). We conclude that individuating information about bald men suppresses PAS application, but not PAS activation.

Erect panicle architecture contributes to increased rice production through the improvement of canopy structure

The erect panicle architecture has contributed to the improvement of yield in japonica rice breeding, and recent molecular analysis has revealed the mechanisms involved in individual plant yield increases. However, the population structure is more important in rice production compared with individual plant yield. Our study compared the population canopy structure of a curved panicle variety Sasanishiki (WT) and an erect panicle mutant derived from CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing at the DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE 1 (DEP1) locus. The results showed that more light could reach to the leaves under the panicle in the CRISPR-dep1 population compared with the WT. The canopy of the CRISPR-dep1 population exhibited higher temperature and lower humidity compared with the WT after heading. A subsequent survey showed that the CO2 concentration in the CRISPR-dep1 population was significantly lower than that in the WT population from full heading to 15 days after heading. Moreover, the increase of biomass in the CRISPR-dep1 population was greater than that in the WT. We noticed that the CRISPR-dep1 mutant could achieve higher yield under low fertilization application compared with the WT under high fertilizer application through increased transplant density. These traits could contribute to an agricultural sustainable development strategy. The quality investigation showed that the dep1 allele increased the yield along with imposing a penalty on grain quality. Our study not only elucidated the mechanism of yield improvement in an erect panicle architecture variety from the perspective of population structure optimization but also provides a theoretical basis for supporting cultivation systems with the erect panicle architecture.