Successive Years Research Articles

Detecting Longitudinal Trends between Passively Collected Phone Use and Anxiety among College Students

Introduction: Existing theories and empirical works link phone use with anxiety; however, most leverage subjective self-reports of phone use (e.g., validated questionnaires) that may not correspond well with true behavior. Moreover, most works linking phone use with anxiety do not interrogate associations within a temporal framework. Accordingly, the present study sought to investigate the utility of passively sensed phone use as a longitudinal predictor of anxiety symptomatology within a population particularly vulnerable to experiencing anxiety. Methods: Using data from the GLOBEM study, which continuously collected longitudinal behavioral data from a college cohort of N = 330 students, weekly PHQ-4 anxiety subscale scores across 3 years (2019–2021) were paired with median daily phone use records from the 2 weeks prior to anxiety self-report completion. Phone use was operationalized through unlock duration which was passively curated via Apple’s “Screen Time” feature. GPS-tracked location data was further utilized to specify whether an individual’s phone use was at home or away from home. Within-individual and temporal associations between phone use and anxiety were modeled within an ordinal mixed-effects logistic regression framework. Results: While there was no significant association between anxiety levels and either median total phone use or median phone use at home, participants in the top quartile of median phone use away from home were predicted to exhibit clinically significant anxiety levels 20% more frequently than participants in the bottom quartile during the first study year; however, this association weakened across successive years. Importantly, these associations remained after controlling for age, physical activity, sleep, and baseline anxiety levels and were not recapitulated when operationalizing phone use with unlock frequency. Conclusions: These findings suggest that phone use may be leveraged as a means of mitigating or coping with anxiety in social situations outside the home, while pandemic-related developments may also have attenuated this behavior later in the study. Nevertheless, the present results suggest promise in interrogating a larger suite of objectively measured phone use behaviors within the context of social anxiety.

Nanostructure-assisted drought tolerance in olive trees (Olea europaea L.): the role of Fe2O3-graphitic carbon.

Olive trees are known as one of the most iconic crops in the world. Considering the increasing water deficit worldwide, implementing some profitable and empirical strategies can be inevitable upon exposure to drought stress. Therefore, the present study aimed at clarifying the beneficial role of exogenously foliar application of Fe2O3 modified carbon nitride nanostructures (control, FeSO4, C3N4 and Fe2O3/g-C3N4) to "Shengeh" olive cultivars grown at different watering levels (100, 75, and 50% ET) in two experimental years (2022 and 2023) and the pomological attributes, physiological and biochemical changes happening in the treated leaves and fruits were discussed. The results indicated that drought stress caused a significant decline in pomological attributes in this experiment, and treatments could remarkably make up for this damage. Overall, Fe2O3/g-C3N4 outperformed as compared FeSO4 and C3N4 alone, which were also efficacious in conferring tolerance to the water deficit stress. Conversely, severe drought stressed-olive fruits showed higher oil content percent in the fresh matter and water use efficiency (WUE) in oil by 30% and 52.5%, respectively, as an average of results of two years, and after Fe2O3/g-C3N4, these features in olive plants subjected to severe drought improved by an average of 35% over two years. Ca2+ and K+ in olive plants under severe drought stress declined by 50% and 83% in 2022 and 46% and 24% in 2023, while Na+ increased in the plants exposed to 50%ET stress by 48% and 57% in two successive experimental years respectively. The application of Fe2O3/g-C3N4 remarkably improved the contents of Ca2+ and K+ by 101.5% and 369%, respectively, as an average of two years. Conversely, this beneficial treatment led to a significant decline in Na+ levels by 30% in 2022 and 2% in 2023 under stressful conditions. Moreover, it decreased the 'osmolytes' content, caused a smaller decline in chlorophyll levels, and resulted in higher relative water content occurring in the treated olive leaves. The reduction of oxidative markers was a result of the increased enzymatic activity after the use of Fe2O3/g-C3N4. Therefore, this treatment is a promising strategy to achieve improved resistance in olive plants in the future.

Successive Years of Rice Straw Return Increased the Rice Yield and Soil Nutrients While Decreasing the Greenhouse Gas Intensity.

Straw return has important impacts on black soil protection, food security, and environmental protection. One year of straw return (S1) reduces rice yield and increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the effects of successive years of straw return on rice yield, soil nutrients, and GHG emissions in the northeast rice region are still unclear. Therefore, we conducted four successive years of straw return (S4) in a positional experiment to investigate the effects of different years of straw return on rice yield, soil nutrients, and GHG emissions in the northeast rice region. The experimental treatments included the following: no straw return (S0), a year of straw return (S1), two successive years of straw return (S2), three successive years of straw return (S3), and four successive years of straw return (S4). Compared with S1, the rice yields of S2, S3, and S4 increased by 10.89%, 15.46%, and 16.98%, respectively. But only S4 increased by 4.64% compared to S0, while other treatments were lower than S0. S4 increased panicles per m2 and spikelets per panicle by 9.34% and 8.93%, respectively, compared to S1. Panicles per m2 decreased by 8.06% at S4 compared to S0, while spikelets per panicle increased by 13.23%. Compared with S0, the soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, NH4+-N, NO3--N, available phosphorus, and available potassium of S4 increased by 11.68%, 10.15%, 24.62%, 21.38%, 12.33%, and 13.35%, respectively. Successive years of rice straw return decreased GHG intensity (GHGI). Compared with S1, the GHGI of S4, S3, and S2 decreased by 16.2%, 11.84%, and 9.36%, respectively. Thus, S4 increased rice yield and soil nutrients, reducing GHGI.

Correction to Effective number of white shark (Carcharodon carcharias, Linnaeus) breeders is stable over four successive years in the population adjacent to eastern Australia and New Zealand

Correction to Effective number of white shark (<i>Carcharodon carcharias</i>, Linnaeus) breeders is stable over four successive years in the population adjacent to eastern Australia and New Zealand

The Influence of Weather Conditions on the Immortelle Volatile Constituents from Essential oil and Hydrosol with a Focus on Italidiones and Its Molecular Docking Anti-Inflammatory Potential

Objectives Immortelle has garnered global attention for its cosmetic, medicinal, and culinary applications worldwide. Apart from neryl acetate, α-pinene and γ-curcumene as the most important components for the estimation of the essential oil quality, in recent years a group of β-diketones, known as italidiones, appear as significant quality parameters. However, it is unknown how weather conditions (temperature and precipitation) influence their accumulation in essential oil and hydrosol, nor their anti-inflammatory potential. Methods This study investigates the chemical composition of immortelle essential oil and hydrosol over three successive years (2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22), by GC-FID and GC-MS analysis. In silico molecular docking model with Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (VAP-1) was used for the simulation of the anti-inflammatory potential of italidiones, as well as other β-diketones present in immortelle essential oil and hydrosol. Results During the three-year trial, it was established that essential oil compounds such as α-pinene, neryl acetate, and italicene were positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with precipitation, as well as β-diketones and total italidiones. Moreover, trans-caryophyllene, γ-curcumene, and ar-curcumene were in negative correlation with temperature, and a slight positive correlation with precipitation. On the other side, in the hydrosol the content of both total β-diketones and total italidiones was strongly negatively correlated with temperatures, and positively correlated with precipitation, which was the opposite of essential oil. Additionally, findings indicated that italidiones could bind the human VAP-1 protein in the vicinity of the topiquinone and block its function. Conclusion Weather conditions affect variations in the accumulation of volatile compounds in essential oil and hydrosol, which in some cases can affect changes in olfactory characteristics, as well as criteria prescribed by standards, and even changes in biological activities. These results indicate that italidiones, as well as other β-diketones present in immortelle, may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals from application of sewage sludge on agricultural soils in Europe

AbstractThe present European Union (EU) Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC) is undergoing modifications aimed at enhancing its applicability in the agricultural sector. The Directive's existing limit values for heavy metal concentrations in soils are in the process of being revised. However, to comprehensively understand their effects on EU agricultural lands, additional evaluations are necessary. This is particularly important given that ecological risk assessments are often performed on a site‐specific basis, potentially overlooking broader regional implications. The main objective of the current work is to introduce a methodological approach to quantify the impact of sewage sludge (SS) application on agricultural soils in the EU and the United Kingdom. Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in agricultural land from Land Use/Land Cover Area Frame Survey (LUCAS) 2009 topsoil database were used as a baseline. Maximum quantities of SS that can be safely applied to agricultural lands were obtained by a modeling procedure was used to determine the maximum safe quantities of SS that can be applied to agricultural lands for each country within the European Member States and the United Kingdom. Accumulation of HMs in soils was modelled by using a representative SS composition, distributed over 10 successive years at 5 Mg ha−1 year−1 rate. Ecological risk impact was assessed by using both the single ecological risk index (Er) and the integrated potential ecological risk index (RI). Maximum quantities of SS applied on agricultural soils in EU + UK were estimated to be 45 Mg ha−1 at the country level. We found that 19% of agricultural land (around 28,471,900 ha) in the EU + UK shows a higher RI than moderate risk after long time application of the representative SS. We show that the combination of the HM concentrations from the LUCAS topsoil survey and assumptions on the SS composition and soil HM partitioning can be used to define the actual and potential soil pollution rate in EU + UK. We demonstrate that the proposed methodology can be used by policymakers, farmers, regional authorities and other stakeholders, with possible adaptions based on local in‐depth soil and SS knowledge.

Identification of a major QTL region and candidate genes responsible for harvest date combining QTL mapping and QTL-seq approaches in walnut (Juglans regia L.)

Walnut (Juglans regia L.) takes place within the Juglandaceae family and is one of the most popular nut species. In walnut breeding, several limiting factors need to be revealed regarding the genetic mechanism underlying important agronomical traits. In the current report, the monitoring of the ‘Chandler x Kaplan-86’ F1 walnut population was carried out four successive years (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and the distribution of the plants for harvest date from four years was ranged from August 27th to October 22nd. Then, we dissected the genomic regions associated with harvest date using classical Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) mapping and a rapid and cost-effective QTL-seq approach in ‘Chandler x Kaplan-86’ F1 walnut population for the first time. In classical QTL mapping, a major QTL was recognized in LG4 corresponding to Chr1 in Chandler female map with 27.6 (%) phenotyping variance. In QTL-seq, we bulked the DNAs of the genotypes with extreme harvest date separately, the whole genome resequencing was performed for a parent Chandler and both bulks (early and late) to calculate Delta SNP indexes for each Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Insertion/Deletion (InDels). Approximately 48.04 million paired reads for Chandler, 149.72, and 150.14 million paired reads were obtained from early and late harvest bulks, respectively. A total of 229,307 SNPs and 45,223 InDels were mined from the merged sequences data covered whole chromosomes. The responsible genomic fragments were identified in Chr2 and Chr11 in QTL-seq. The highest linked InDel locus detected in QTL-seq in Chr11 around 17 million base pairs distinguished the plants according to harvest date. InDel Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) marker is a candidate for marker-assisted selection for future walnut breeding studies.

Factors Affecting Key Stage 3 Students’ Attitudes towards Mathematics in Fuvahmulah City, Maldives

Mathematics can foster students’ capacity in reasoning and nurturing their critical thinking abilities. In turn, attitude emerges as a pivotal factor influencing students’ mathematical performance. The National Assessment of Learning Outcomes (NALO) has revealed a concerning decline in mathematics proficiency among Grade 7 students within this atoll over successive years. Scholarly investigations have underscored the significance of a positive attitude towards the subject in augmenting learning outcomes. Guided by the ABC model of attitude, this study sought to discern the factors shaping students’ perspectives towards mathematics, the specific challenges hindering them from realising their full potential, and the proposed reforms in pedagogical and environmental dimensions to enhance mathematical proficiency. Employing purposive sampling, a qualitative case-study approach, and semi-structured interviews, data was collected from eight students in Key Stage 3. The findings indicate that students’ outlook on the subject is influenced by a confluence of positive and negative emotions. Factors such as teachers’ attitude, pedagogical methodologies, insufficient parental support, and deficiencies in foundational mathematical understanding during primary schooling emerged as prominent impediments to students’ mathematical achievement. Additionally, students expressed a desire for a conducive and differentiated learning milieu to bolster their grasp of mathematical concepts.

Leaf gas exchange, water use, and yield of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra): South African indigenous fruit trees with domestication potential

Conventional crop production is expected to decline in the future in sub-Saharan Africa due to the rising costs of inputs, soil degradation, and increasing water scarcity related to climate variability and change. South Africa has more than 30 species of indigenous fruit trees that are adapted to grow under harsh conditions, yet these species are currently underutilized. Their cultivation is constrained by the lack of detailed ecophysiological information required to develop effective management strategies that optimize tree performance. In this study we investigated how two species with domestication potential namely Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) responded to climate and soil factors over a period of two years (2019–2021). Photosynthesis, transpiration, and yield were quantified for mature trees growing in experimental orchards in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Leaf gas exchange data were collected at selected intervals during the growing season using an infrared gas analyser while whole tree transpiration rates were quantified using the heat ratio method of monitoring sap flow. These data were used to parameterize a big leaf Penman-Monteith (PM) model to estimate the transpiration dynamics of individual trees at the daily time step. S. birrea's transpiration responded strongly to both climatic and soil water content variations while the water use of D. caffra was driven mostly by climatic factors. Transpiration rates averaged 0.30 L/m2 of leaf area for S. birrea while that of D. caffra was around 0.45 L/m2. Both species exhibited significant alternate bearing with yield of individual trees fluctuating by more than 50 % between successive years. For the 2019/20 season, water productivity (grams of fruit per litre of water transpired) varied between 6.2 and 17.4 g/L for S. birrea and between 24.3 and 41.7 g/L for D. caffra. Whole tree transpiration by both species were accurately predicted using the PM model albeit with different parameters for each species. This study demonstrates that a simple PM model can accurately estimate the water requirements of these species in other growing regions.

Large wildfires alter the potential capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean pine forests to provide wild edible mushrooms over the long term

Projected trends of intensified wildfires due to climate warming and fuel-load accumulation are expected to significantly alter fungal diversity, but we know little about how these changes will impact ecosystem services. We aimed to analyze how large wildfires alter the capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems dominated by Pinus pinaster Ait. to deliver the provisioning ecosystem service of mushroom production throughout the post-fire succession. We assessed this at early (<10 years), medium (10-20 years), and late (>20 years) stages after fire, compared to an unburned forest. Our results evidenced that large wildfires significantly reduced the capacity of these forests to provide mushroom harvesting opportunities. This adverse effect was most pronounced in the first few years after wildfire but persisted even after 20 years of post-fire succession. The total fungal species richness, abundance, diversity, and productivity at the post-fire successional stages remained lower than in the unburned forest, failing to reach their pre-fire levels even after two decades. However, the presence of commercially valuable edible fungal species, along with their species richness and productivity, began to recover in the medium and late stages after fire. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, saprotrophic fungal species dominated, while mycorrhizal species became more prevalent during the medium and late stages of secondary succession. Additionally, the abundance and productivity of mycorrhizal species in the late succession stage approached those found in the unburned forest. Soil pH and biochemical variables (microbial biomass C and β-glucosidase enzymatic activity) were key drivers of changes in species composition along the successional stages. This knowledge is essential to guide management solutions aimed at reducing ecosystem service loss and increasing resilience to the new scenario of extreme large wildfire events at shorter fire-free intervals, especially in southern Europe.

The accumulation of cadmium in poplar trees during three consecutive years

Abstract A three-year pot experiment was designed to investigate cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the various parts of poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. cv. ‘Lux’ I-69/55) by setting up 5 Cd application treatments (0, 5, 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg dry soil). The results showed that poplar exhibited a high tolerance to Cd stress, with Cd uptake significantly increasing across all plant parts as soil Cd levels rose. In general, leaves exhibited the highest Cd concentration while stems had the lowest. An upward increase trend of the accumulation of Cd in the aboveground parts from the base wood, along the stem to the branch, until the leaves, as well as a radially outward increase of Cd from the wood near the pith, to the wood near the bark, and finally to the bark, were observed. Over the three successive years, poplar trees exhibited a generally increasing extraction ability in terms of Cd concentration and the bioconcentration factor (BCF) in their aboveground parts, attributed to the enhanced leaf transpiration and conducting tissue development. The BCFs of various parts of poplar ranged from 0.09 to 6.30, following the trend of leaf &gt; bark &gt; branch &gt; root &gt; stem.

Evaluating the impact of alyssum flower strips on biological control of key pests in flue‐cured tobacco agroecosystems

AbstractFlue‐cured tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum (L.), is often attacked by various pests such as aphids, whiteflies and tobacco budworm. Insecticide application has been the primary method in managing these pests for Yunnan Province. However, it is necessary to look for more sustainable strategies that can help control pests. In this context, conservation biological control is a highly promising alternative, involving the cultivation or conservation of flowering plants within the agricultural ecosystem to attract and support natural enemies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of alyssum, Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., in attracting natural enemies and managing pests in flue‐cured tobacco cultivation. The study conducted two field experiments over successive years, each with of two treatments and three replicates, arranged in a completely randomized design. The treatments were (1) tobacco monoculture and (2) tobacco intercropped with alyssum flower strips. The population density of natural enemies and pests was monitored weekly throughout the study period. The results showed that the presence of alyssum flowers in the tobaccosalyssum treatment significantly increased the abundance of generalist predators such as syrphids, rove beetles, carabids, Orius sp. and spiders during both experiments. This increase in predator population led to a substantial reduction in tobacco pests, particularly aphids. Intercropping alyssum with tobacco can serve as an effective strategy for managing pests specific to the Nicotiana plant, as well as addressing the limited availability of approved insecticides for this crop. This approach may help to mitigate pest‐related issues and reduce the reliance on insecticides in tobacco cultivation, contributing to more sustainable pest management practices.

Impact of Collagenase Injection on Dupuytren Disease Treatment in Japan: A Comprehensive Survey of Trends.

Collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) injection, an effective enzymatic fasciotomy treatment for Dupuytren disease (DD), was abruptly withdrawn from the healthcare market outside the United States in 2020. The impact on patients, physicians and hospitals of this helpful surgical alternative no longer being available has been little studied. To investigate the impact of the withdrawal of CCH in Japan, we used the National Database Open Data Japan from 2014 to 2020. Published by the government, it contains summary data of the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. We extracted the numbers of CCH injections with Xiaflex, the product name in Japan, and surgeries identified by "Dupuytren contracture surgery codes." Each treatment was further parsed into one of 12 predefined regions in which it had taken place and by whether it had been delivered on an inpatient or outpatient basis. From its introduction in 2015, the number of DD patients treated with CCH increased in each successive year, reaching a peak in 2019, while the number of surgeries decreased with time. After the withdrawal in 2020, the number of surgeries increased to 1.5 times the 2019 number notwithstanding the impact of COVID-19, but the total number of patients treated decreased by 43%. In the initial regional analysis, CCH accounted for approximately 40% of all DD treatments in the less populous areas, with the exception of the Tohoku region, and more than 50% in the other regions. By 2019, the share of CCH treatment had increased in all regions. There was no significant correlation between the number of hand surgeons authorized to use CCH and the number of CCH cases within each region. CCH increased treatment options for patients and surgeons. The withdrawal of this valuable pharmaceutical resulted in an increase in the number of surgeries amidst a decrease in the total number of treatments and lost opportunities for patients.

Effect of Different Plant Spacings on Growth, Yield and Disease Incidence in Banana CV. Phule Pride

An investigation was carried out in planted banana crop cv. Phule Pride (AAA) to evaluate the effect of different planting distances on growth, durational, bunch, and yield parameters and disease incidence for three successive years (2021-22 to 2023). The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The treatments comprised of T1 (1.20 m x 1.20m (6944 Plants per hectare)), T2 (1.35 m x 1.35m (5487 Plants per hectare)), T3 (1.35 m x 1.75m (4233 Plants per hectare)), T4 (1.50 m x 1.35m (4938 Plants per hectare)) and T5 (1.50 m x 1.50m (4444 Plants per hectare)). In general, there was decrease in pseudo stem height, number of functional leaves and leaf area with the decrease in plant spacing, where increase in pseudo stem girth was observed with the decrease in plant spacing. Delay in all the durational parameters namely days to shooting, days to maturity and days harvesting was recorded with the decrease in plant spacing. Number of hands per bunch, number of fingers per bunch, finger length and bunch weight also decreased with the decrease in plant spacing, whereas increase in finger girth was observed with the decrease in plant spacing. The conventional treatment 1.50 m x 1.50m (4444 Plants per hectare)) recoded highest bunch weight (19.40 t/ha) as against the 12.18 t/ha in the treatment T1 (1.20 m x 1.20m (6944 Plants per hectare). As regards the yield (t/ha), all the treatments were on par with each other except T2 (1.35 m x 1.35m (5487 Plants per hectare). Considering all the parameters, it observed that the plant spacing of 1.5 m x 1.5 m accommodating 4444 plants per hectare is found optimum for the banana cv. Phule Pride.

Effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on productivity of Oxytenanthera abyssinica in Pawe district, North-western Ethiopia

Bamboos are naturally fast-growing species in tropical and non-tropical regions, with some species growing more than 1 m per day. Oxytenanthera abyssinica is an important bamboo species that could help meet current and future needs worldwide. This study was designed to assess the effects of harvesting techniques and intensities on sustainable utilization of O. abyssinica. Clumps that had a similar number culms were used to conduct the experiment. A factorial experiment with two harvesting techniques (X-shape and Horse-shoe shape) and five levels of harvesting intensities (25, 50, 75, 100 and 0 % harvesting of mature culms) was conducted for five successive years in the dry season. Sprouted and dead shoots, recruited culms, and mean culm diameter at breast height were recorded. Data were analysed using two-way-ANOVA. Culm/shoot sprouting had significantly different values with harvesting techniques; the X-shape harvesting technique produced a higher number culms than horse-shoe harvesting technique. Interaction effects between harvesting techniques and harvesting intensities on shoot sprouting, culm recruitment and shoot abortion were not observed. Both harvesting techniques and intensities had a significant effect on mean culm diameter; i.e., 25 % and 75 % of the mature culms harvested under the X-shape and horse-shoe harvesting techniques, respectively, produced thicker bamboo culms than the unharvested clump (control). Culm recruitment decreased in the second year, and then increased in the third year, subsequently showed a decreasing trend for all treatments. This may have been related to repeated culm harvesting. The population structure has also varied with harvesting technique and intensity. To utilize this species sustainably, the species may need a specific cutting cycle. This study suggests the need for further study through incorporating cutting cycles with different levels of harvesting intensity to develop a sustainable management method.

Taste aversion training can educate free-ranging crocodiles against toxic invaders.

Apex predators play critical ecological roles, making their conservation a high priority. In tropical Australia, some populations of freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) have plummeted by greater than 70% due to lethal ingestion of toxic invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Laboratory-based research has identified conditioned taste aversion (CTA) as a way to discourage consumption of toads. To translate those ideas into landscape-scale management, we deployed 2395 baits (toad carcasses with toxin removed and containing a nausea-inducing chemical) across four gorge systems in north-western Australia and monitored bait uptake with remote cameras. Crocodile abundance was quantified with surveys. Free-ranging crocodiles rapidly learned to avoid toad baits but continued to consume control (chicken) baits. Toad invasion at our sites was followed by high rates of crocodile mortality (especially for small individuals) at a control site but not at nearby treatment sites. In areas with high connectivity to other waterbodies, repeated baiting over successive years had continuing positive impacts on crocodile survival. In summary, we succeeded in buffering the often-catastrophic impact of invasive cane toads on apex predators.

Determination of the Relationship of Harmonization Ratio and Some Yield Characteristics with Grain Yield in Barley

In this study, it was aimed to calculate the harmonization ratio before and after the flowering period (GFPtt/VPtt) in barley depending on thermal times, to determine the vegetative period (VP) and grain filling period (GFP) values for higher grain yield (GY) capacity and the possibility of using these qualities as adaptation and selection criteria and to determine the relationship between HR and GY calculated according to phenological periods depending on thermal times under Kahramanmaraş conditions. The experiments were carried out in Kahramanmaraş, located in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey, between 2014 and 2016 under the conditions of 9 genotypes for 2 successive years according to the randomized completed block design with 3 replicates. Phenological traits such as VP, GFP, GY and days to maturity (DM) were measured in relation to thermal times. According to the results, genotypes were found to be significantly different in terms of harmonization ratio in barley. Considering the two-year averages, the highest grain yields were determined as Samyeli (534.3 kg da-1) and Şahin-91 (532.8 kg da-1). The lowest grain yields were determined as Kendal (404.9 kg da-1) and Sur-93 (416.9 kg da-1). According to the results, barley genotypes were found to be significantly different in terms of harmonization ratio. The highest harmonization ratios were determined as Samyeli (0.753) and Kendal (0.672), the lowest harmonization ratios were determined as Şahin-91 (0.486) and Athena*Yabani (0.558). Although there was a general relationship between grain yield and harmonization ratio, some genotypes had values outside this trend.

Rotation with Soybean Improved Weed Control and Foxtail Millet Yield

Foxtail millet is an important characteristic grain crop in northern China. However, weeds compete seriously with foxtail millet and have long been a biological factor that has plagued foxtail millet production. Rotation requires determining the species and sequence of crops, and reasonable rotation has many benefits for agriculture, including reducing the damage by weeds. In order to clarify the combination effects of foxtail millet–soybean rotation sequence and herbicide on weed control and crop yield, fixed-position experiments were designed in three growing seasons. Foxtail millet and soybean were planted following the sequence below in successive years (FFF, foxtail millet–wheat–foxtail millet–wheat–foxtail millet; SFF: soybean–wheat–foxtail millet–wheat–foxtail millet; SSF, soybean–wheat–soybean–wheat–foxtail millet; SSS, soybean–wheat–soybean–wheat–soybean), and weed density, biodiversity, weed seedbank, and crop yield were examined and analyzed. The results showed that the average weed density of SFF and SSF was reduced by 61.7% and 66.3% compared with FFF in the three years and by 16.5% and 26.6% compared with SSS, separately. Foxtail millet–soybean rotation (SFF and SSF) increased the species richness and the Margalef species richness index of the weed community and reduced the Simpson index compared with the continuous foxtail millet and the continuous soybean cropping (FFF and SSS). The weed seedbank of SFF and SSF was 45.7% and 55.8% smaller than that of FFF and increased by 92.7% and 56.7% compared with SSS, respectively. The weed density in the FFF treatment was significantly correlated with the 0–5 cm grass seedbank size, while there was no significant correlation in the other three treatments. Benefiting from the lower weed damage intensity, the yield of foxtail millet in SFF and SSF increased by 54.05% and 221.81% compared with FFF, respectively. The research results revealed that both SFF and SSF can effectively reduce the damage of weeds and help improve biodiversity. SSF has a higher weed control effect and higher foxtail millet yield than SFF. This study contributes to the understanding of crop–weed interactions in foxtail millet–soybean rotation and can be applied to areas with similar environments.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Disparities in Immunotherapy Utilization for Advanced Kidney and Bladder Cancer

ObjectivesImmunotherapy (IO) drugs have been increasingly utilized in locally advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UC). Multiple trials have demonstrated clear survival benefit, however, there are often barriers to access for these advanced therapies which has been demonstrated in other non-urologic malignancies. The goal of this study was to assess socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the receipt of IO for advanced ccRCC and UC. Materials and methodsWe queried the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients with stage IV ccRCC and UC. The study period was 2015 to 2020 for ccRCC (FDA approval date of IO) and 2017 to 2020 for UC (FDA approval date of broadened indication for IO, initial limited approval in 2016). The primary outcome of interest was receipt of IO therapy using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for relevant socioeconomic and demographic variables. ResultsWe identified 15,926 patients with stage IV ccRCC and 10,380 patients with stage IV UC of which 5,419 (34.0%) and 2,231 (21.5%) received IO therapy, respectively. IO utilization increased with each successive year. In both malignancies, treatment at a non-academic facility, education level, income, and insurance were independently associated with IO utilization. For ccRCC, black (OR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.64–0.93, P = 0.009) and Hispanic race (OR = 0.73, 95% CI, 0.61–0.86, P = 0.006) were each associated with decreased IO utilization but there were no independent associations between race and receipt of IO in patients with UC. ConclusionsIn the era of FDA-approved IO therapy for advanced ccRCC and UC, this national cohort analysis suggests that IO utilization is increasing over time, but significant disparities exist based on income, education, and insurance status in both malignancies. Additionally, patients treated at non-academic facilities were less likely to receive IO therapy for these specific genitourinary malignancies. In ccRCC, additional disparities were seen black and Hispanic races which each were associated with lower odds of IO receipt. Identifying strategies to mitigate these differences and provide equitable access to IO therapy is of imperative need.

Cumulative costs of reproduction in a long-lived ungulate

Abstract Cumulative costs of reproduction are predicted by life-history theories of aging, but empirical support for cumulative costs of reproduction in ungulates is limited. Examinations of the relationship between previous reproductive effort and future reproductive output are often limited to successive years. We analyzed pregnancy status, lactation duration, and age class of Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Utah, United States, from 2019 to 2022 to better understand the relationship between previous reproductive effort and future reproductive output, particularly in nonsuccessive years. Pregnancy status 1 year prior, pregnancy status 2 years prior, and age had no effect on the likelihood of pregnancy in Elk. However, lactation duration 1 year prior and lactation duration 2 years prior had a negative effect on the likelihood of pregnancy. The best-fitting model to explain the relationship between pregnancy status and previous lactation was the positive interaction between lactation duration 1 year prior and lactation duration 2 years prior. The results of our study suggest long-lasting (i.e., multiple-year), cumulative costs of reproduction can influence reproductive output in female Elk, but differences in individual quality may have an even greater influence. High-quality individuals may be able to override the costs of reproduction and minimize reproductive trade-offs.