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Abstract High temperature stress influences plant growth, seed yield, and fatty acid contents by causing oxidative damage. This study investigated the potential of thiourea (TU) to mitigate oxidative stress and restoring seed oil content and quality in canola. The study thoroughly examined three main factors: (i) growth conditions—control and high temperature stress (35 °C); (ii) TU supplementation (1000 mg/L)—including variations like having no TU, water application at the seedling stage, TU application at seedling stage (BBCH Scale-39), water spray at anthesis stage, and TU application at anthesis stage (BBCH Scale-60); (iii) and two canola genotypes, 45S42 and Hiola-401, were studied separately. High temperature stress reduced growth and tissue water content, as plant height and relative water contents were decreased by 26 and 36% in 45S42 and 27 and 42% Hiola-401, respectively, resulting in a substantial decrease in seed yield per plant by 36 and 38% in 45S42 and Hiola-401. Seed oil content and quality parameters were also negatively affected by high temperature stress as seed oil content was reduced by 32 and 35% in 45S42 and Hiola-401. High-temperature stress increased the plant stress indicators like malondialdehyde, H2O2 content, and electrolyte leakage; these indicators were increased in both canola genotypes as compared to control. Interestingly, TU supplementation restored plant performance, enhancing height, relative water content, foliar chlorophyll (SPAD value), and seed yield per plant by 21, 15, 30, and 28% in 45S42; 19, 13, 26, and 21% in Hiola-401, respectively, under high temperature stress as compared to control. In addition, seed quality, seed oil content, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid were improved by 16, 14, and 22% in 45S42, and 16, 11, and 23% in Hiola-401, as compared to control. The most significant improvements in canola seed yield per plant were observed when TU was applied at the anthesis stage. Additionally, the research highlighted that canola genotype 45S42 responded better to TU applications and exhibited greater resilience against high temperature stress compared to genotype Hiola-401. This interesting study revealed that TU supplementation, particularly at the anthesis stage, improved high temperature stress tolerance, seed oil content, and fatty acid profile in two canola genotypes.

Abstract Pea, member of the plant family Leguminosae, play a pivotal role in global food security as essential legumes. However, their production faces challenges stemming from the detrimental impacts of abiotic stressors, leading to a concerning decline in output. Salinity stress is one of the major factors that limiting the growth and productivity of pea. However, biochar amendment in soil has a potential role in alleviating the oxidative damage caused by salinity stress. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential role of biochar amendment in soil that may mitigate the adverse effect of salinity stress on pea. The treatments of this study were, (a) Pea varieties; (i) V1 = Meteor and V2 = Green Grass, Salinity Stress, (b) Control (0 mM) and (ii) Salinity (80 mM) (c) Biochar applications; (i) Control, (ii) 8 g/kg soil (56 g) and (iii) 16 g/kg soil (112 g). Salinity stress demonstrated a considerable reduction in morphological parameters as Shoot and root length decreased by (29% and 47%), fresh weight and dry weight of shoot and root by (85, 63%) and (49, 68%), as well as area of leaf reduced by (71%) among both varieties. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid contents decreased under 80 mM salinity up to (41, 63, 55 and 76%) in both varieties as compared to control. Exposure of pea plants to salinity stress increased the oxidative damage by enhancing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde content by (79 and 89%), while amendment of biochar reduced their activities as, (56% and 59%) in both varieties. The activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) were increased by biochar applications under salinity stress as, (49, 59, and 86%) as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants as, anthocyanin and flavonoids improved by (112 and 67%). Organic osmolytes such as total soluble proteins, sugars, and glycine betaine were increased up to (57, 83, and 140%) by biochar amendment. Among uptake of mineral ions, shoot and root Na+ uptake was greater (144 and 73%) in saline-stressed plants as compared to control, while shoot and root Ca2+ and K+ were greater up to (175, 119%) and (77, 146%) in biochar-treated plants. Overall findings revealed that 16 g/kg soil (112 g) biochar was found to be effective in reducing salinity toxicity by causing reduction in reactive oxygen species and root and shoot Na+ ions uptake and improving growth, physiological and anti-oxidative activities in pea plants (Fig. 1). Figure 1 A schematic diagram represents two different mechanisms of pea under salinity stress (control and 80 mM NaCl) with Biochar (8 and 16 g/kg soil).

To boost agricultural yields, understanding mineral nutrition’s reliance on fertilizers is crucial, underscoring the need to evaluate nutrient-use efficiency for optimal fertilization. In this regard, a field study was conducted to elaborate the role of phosphorus fertilizer in enhancing growth, yield and marginal rate of return in four wheat varieties; two Zn-biofortified (Zincol-2016 and Akbar-2019) and two standard types (Anaj-2017 and FSD-2008). The study revealed that application of phosphorus significantly enhanced the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) contents in straw (13 %, 59 % and 79 %) and grains (63 %, 92 % and 28 %) respectively. Similarly, the contents of Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) were reduced in straw (23 % and 19 %) and grains (19 % and 18 %) respectively after application of 80 and 120 kg P2O5, however at 40 kg P2O5 the contents of Zn and Fe were slightly enhanced. The grain yield (21 %) and harvest index (11 %) was maximum at 80 kg P2O5 as compared to 40 and 120 kg P2O5. The Marginal rate of return over investment (MRR) in P2O5 was maximum (241 %) in Akbar-2019 when P-fertilizer was applied at the rate of 80 kg P2O5 per ha−1. Regression analysis showed a positive correlation between grain yield and its determinants. Biofortified wheat varieties responded better to 80 kg P2O5, outperforming standard varieties in yield. Additionally, our findings demonstrate a significant upregulation of PSTOL1 gene expression at 80 kg P2O5 level. Concludingly the application of P-fertilizer at the rate of 80 kg P2O5 per ha−1 enhanced growth, yield and rate of return of testing wheat varieties especially the biofortified ones; Zincol-2016 and Akbar-2019.

The current study delves into the impact of irrigation using two distinct water sources (freshwater and brackish water) in conjunction with three salt-tolerant fodder crops (Sesbania, Guar, and Pearl millet) within arid dry-land environments for two year experiments. Brackish water irrigation impedes the growth of all three plant species and reduces water consumption relative to freshwater irrigation. Logistic growth prediction equations for plant height, stem diameter, and the number of branches per plant are formulated across different water qualities irrigation against planting days. Biomass water use efficiency all three plant species having lower under brackish water irrigation. Consequently, the introduction of salt-tolerant plant species under brackish water irrigation presents an eco-friendly approach to harness arid dry-land for agricultural production. Furthermore, the predicted growth equations also provide, crucial insights for enhancing production in dry-land conditions by improving water use efficiency under different water irrigation.

Thermoelectric thin film has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential in fabricating micropower generator in chip sensors for internet of things (IoT). However, the undeveloped performance of n-type thermoelectric thin film limits its widely application. In this work, a facile post-selenization diffusion reaction method is employed to introduce Se into Bi2Te3 thin films, in order to optimize the carrier transport properties. Experimental and theoretical calculation results indicate that the carrier concentration decreases and density of states increases after Se doping, leading to the enhancement of Seebeck coefficient. Further, adjusting the diffusion reaction temperature can maintain the carrier concentration while increasing the mobility simultaneously, resulting in a high power factor of 1.5 mW/(m·K2), which is eight times higher than that of the pristine Bi2Te3 thin films. Subsequently, a thin film device fabricated by the present Se-doped Bi2Te3 thin films shows the highest output power of 60.20 nW under the temperature difference of 37 K, indicating its potential for practical use.

Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites having superior mechanical properties are preferred for lightweight architectures. Rising demands for enhanced mechanical performance under certain types of loadings have focused researchers toward the hybridization of composite materials. In this study carbon and aramid fibers were employed to produce hybrid fabrics by weaving in two different woven architectures, 1/1 plain and 2/1 twill. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix was reinforced with these woven fabrics and hybrid composites were fabricated by compression molding. Un-hybrid carbon and aramid composites were fabricated using PVB matrix, as control samples. Tensile characteristics of hybrid composites offered intermediate strain at failures of 0.5% due to the combined rigid and ductile natures of carbon and aramid, respectively. Flexural strength and absorbed impact energy (200 MPa and 97 kJ/m 2 ) were higher for hybrid composites, and quick elastic recoveries were experienced in hybrid composites after impact. Plain woven reinforced hybridization had about 25% and 5% lower tensile and flexural characteristics respectively, as more interlocking zones of warp and weft yarns reduced strength. However, these interlocking zones positively contributed to impact performance by 11.5% higher energy absorption.

Purpose: This research was an effort to determine the influential parameters affecting the ability level of visually impaired individuals in mathematics. Methodology/Approach: Students’ behaviors improve as a result of their education to get the right outcome; teaching skills must be mastered. Student having visual impairment are supported according to their needs to achieve their ambitions. This gives instructors in both educational systems a solid motivation to work hard in accordance with students’ cognitive abilities. However, a getting an education, particularly in math is very challenging for VI students. As compared to sighted students it is very hard grasp the knowledge of spatial nations and directional concepts. Moreover, the VI students face lot of challenges like less opportunities as compared to the students without visual impairment. This study explored the factors that could affect how adept at maths young people with visual impairments are. This research was based on 100 special students having visual impairment. The students’ affiliations were with different schools and came from different family background. Data was personally collected by the author and later it was analyzed in statistical software. Findings: Studies revealed that, regardless of the way that visual hindrance and visual impairment affect students' capacity to concentrate on math, as numerous authors have noted, it isn't difficult to help these students in beating their difficulties.The direst outcome imaginable is likely when instructors totally abandon a youngster and offer no help by any means. Implications: Based on data analysis possible reasons of the student’s issues and few suggestions to tackle those issues have been made at the end.

Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) is a highly deleterious, rapidly proliferating weed within the wheat, and its DD genome composition exhibits adaptability toward diverse abiotic stresses and demonstrates heightened efficacy in nutrient utilization. Current study investigated different variegated impacts of distinct nitrogen concentrations with varied plant densities, scrutinizing the behavior of Ae. tauschii under various salinity and drought stress levels through multiple physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways. Different physiological parameters attaining high growth with different plant density and different nitrogen availability levels increased Ae. tauschii dominancy. Conversely, under the duress of salinity and drought, Ae. tauschii showcased an enhanced performance through a comprehensive array of physiological and biochemical parameters, including catalase, peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and proline content. Notably, salinity-associated traits such as sodium, potassium, and the sodium–potassium ratio exhibited significant variations and demonstrated remarkable tolerance capabilities. In the domain of molecular pathways, the HKT and DREB genes have displayed a remarkable upregulation, showcasing a comparatively elevated expression profile in reaction to different levels of salinity and drought-induced stress. Without a doubt, this information will make a substantial contribution to the understanding of the fundamental behavioral tendencies and the efficiency of nutrient utilization in Ae. tauschii. Moreover, it will offer innovative viewpoints for integrated management, thereby enabling the enhancement of strategies for adept control and alleviation.

Drought-induced metabolic dysregulation significantly enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which, in turn, exerts a substantial influence on the oxidation–reduction regulatory status of cells. These ROS, under conditions of drought stress, become highly reactive entities capable of targeting various plant organelles, metabolites, and molecules. Consequently, disruption affects a wide array of metabolic pathways and eventually leads to the demise of the cells. Given this understanding, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different drought stress levels on the growth and development of the invasive weed Wedelia trilobata and its co-responding native counterpart Wedelia chinensis. Both plants evolved their defense mechanisms to increase their antioxidants and hormone contents to detoxify ROS to avoid oxidative damage. Still, the chlorophyll content fluctuated and increased in a polyethylene-glycol-simulated drought. The proline content also rose in the plants, but W. chinensis showed a significant negative correlation between proline and malondialdehyde in different plant parts. Thus, W. trilobata and W. chinensis exhibited diverse or unlike endogenous hormone regulation patterns under drought conditions. Meanwhile, W. trilobata and W. chinensis pointedly increased the content of indole acetic acid and gibberellic acid in a different drought stress environment. A positive correlation was found between endogenous hormones in other plant parts, including in the roots and leaves. Both simulated and natural drought conditions exerted a significant influence on both plant species, with W. trilobata displaying superior adaptation characterized by enhanced growth, bolstered antioxidant defense mechanisms, and heightened hormonal activities.

Compared to other textiles, socks are made at the lowest cost and have the highest consumption rate, making them one of the least-lasting fabric goods in the clothing industry. Socks are available in a wide range of fibers blends, that is, cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic, polyester, olefin, spandex, etc. As an element of footwear, socks act in tandem with the foot and shoe, influencing the temperature and moisture levels of the feet. The comfort of clothing next to the skin in terms of temperature and moisture is gaining more and more attention. Pilling is a serious issue with wool items, and less pilling is required since it negatively impacts the esthetic, comfort, and longevity of the fabric. This research has investigated socks pilling tendency and thermo-physiological comfort properties, that is, air permeability and thermal resistance made by wool/polypropylene blend yarn. Three different combinations of wool/polypropylene yarns on the main and platting side of the socks were used at two different tightness levels. Polyurethane finish has been applied to check the socks’ behavior after the finish application. Statistical analysis showed that finished samples knitted with wool/polypropylene as a main yarn offer the best results against the pilling test while sample code ANL, an unfinished sample, offers the best results regarding air permeability, thermal resistance, and overall moisture management capacity.

Knitted sports socks remain in continuous scuff with wearers’ feet and shoes during activities. Such continuous physical contact governs severe pills on socks surface, which is unpleasant for both the wearer and the working life of socks. Hence it becomes necessary to take measures for controlling fabric deterioration, that is, anti-pilling treatments. Though pilling performance is enhanced; however, thermal comfort characteristics are compromised through the treatments. Simultaneous acquirement of both pilling and thermal characteristics is an area of interest. Fiber denier and yarn doubling techniques are among the influential factors in the solution to the problem. Specimens have been developed using four different fiber deniers, two yarn doubling conditions, and two specialty wet treatments under a full factorial experimental design. Results showed a significant variation in pilling behaviors and thermal characteristics before and after treatments in the statistical analysis, predicting the possible stages, that is, a combination of experimental factors for desired characteristics attainment.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has altered the expectations of team leaders by team members while they seek clear and efficient decisions. We aim to assess the perception of leadership by the surgical team members and their perception of the most important quality of leadership. We conducted an online national cross-sectional survey among the surgical doctors working in the National Health Service United Kingdom, between 15th July 2020 till 31st August 2020. The questionnaire, based on rating scale items, focused on effects of changes in work-pattern, support and communication at workplace, the status of leadership and understanding of different leadership attributes. Out of two hundred and thirteen participants, majority of respondents were middle-grade registrars (n= 92, 43.7%). Most of the doctors (147,81.7%) were never re-deployed to the high-risk areas. 85(39.9 %) expressed that COVID-19 brought distress affecting their morale. 106(49.8%) thought that arrangement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was the responsibility of the Head of Department. The majority, of those who fell ill, felt adequately supported by their seniors. Most participants identified departmental leadership as satisfactory (n=126, 59.2%). There was a mixed response to the importance of leadership attributes defined by the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management. Stress at the workplace with reduced morale, during a crisis like COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly compromise leadership perception among team members. Understanding of basics of leadership by the team members can improve departmental efficiency and as a result improve patient care. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0303-6 Full Text: PDF

This research focused on cadmium (Cd), which negatively affects plant growth and auxin hemostasis. In plants, many processes are indirectly controlled through the expression of certain genes due to the secretion of bacterial auxin, as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) acts as a reciprocal signaling molecule in plant–microbe interaction. The aim of current studies was to investigate responsible genes in rice for plant–microbe interaction and lateral root development due to the involvement of several metabolic pathways. Studies revealed that GH3-2 interacts with endogenous IAA in a homeostasis manner without directly providing IAA. In rice, indole-3-pyruvate decarboxylase (IPDC) transgenic lines showed a 40% increase in lateral roots. Auxin levels and YUCCA (auxin biosynthesis gene) expression were monitored in osaux1 mutant lines inoculated with Bacillus cereus exposed to Cd. The results showed an increase in root hairs (RHs) and lateral root density, changes in auxin levels, and expression of the YUCCA gene. B. cereus normalizes the oxidative stress caused by Cd due to the accumulation of O2− and H2O2 in osaux1 mutant lines. Furthermore, the inoculation of B. cereus increases DR5:GUS expression, indicating that bacterial species have a positive role in auxin regulation. Thus, the current study suggests that B. cereus and IPDC transgenic lines increase the RH development in rice by interacting with IAA synthetase genes in the host plant, alleviating Cd toxicity and enhancing plant defense mechanisms.

Knitted fleece fabrics with superior comfort characteristics are chiefly focused in winter wear. Thermal characteristics are an area of interest in selecting fleece clothing. However, environmental hazards also need to be focused. Fleece clothing is worn in cold areas having higher ultraviolet rays exposures. Hence the clothing should have the capability of combating environmental challenges. The study focuses on engineering variable fleece structures with different materials. Cotton, nylon, and polypropylene fleece patterns have been knitted using fleece 1:1, 3:1, and 2:2 patterns. The designs vary by tuck and miss stitch configurations in the fleece course. Comfort characteristics were determined through air permeability, moisture management, and thermal resistance tests. Performance criteria were evaluated in terms of pilling resistance and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) investigation. Structures and materials owing better comfort characteristics with satisfactory UPF have been predicted as safe clothing in UV affected zones, that is, fleece 3:1 possessed the optimum comfort characteristics and UPF simultaneously; however, the mechanical performance was better for 2:1 and 1:1 fleece fabric due to less amount of miss stitch floating yarns.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the essential nutrients for plant growth. Appropriate application of N can improve the N use efficiency (NUE) and significantly promote plants’ growth. However, under N toxic conditions, the relationship between the growth and antioxidant system of invasive plants under different N forms and competitive treatments is not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, the performance of invasive species Wedelia trilobata and its native species Wedelia chinensis was evaluated under two sets of N forms and ratios, namely, NH4+-N(AN)/NO3–-N(NN) = 2:1 and NH4+-N(AN)/NO3–-N(NN) = 1:2 along with two intraspecific and interspecific competitions under without N and high N level of 15 g N⋅m–2 year–1, respectively. Data regarding the growth indices, antioxidant enzyme activities, including peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline contents were determined. Results showed that for competitive treatments, growth status was better for interspecific competition than intraspecific competition. The plant biomass of W. trilobata was significantly higher than that of W. chinensis. N significantly promoted the plants’ growth in terms of leaf area and biomass yield, and the antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased under a high N treatment than that of the control. Among N forms/ratios, ammonium N (AN)/nitrate N (NN) = 2:1 significantly enhanced the enzyme activity, particularly in W. trilobata. Furthermore, for intraspecific competition, MDA contents of W. trilobata were significantly decreased compared to that of W. chinensis. In conclusion, our results showed that W. trilobata adapted well under competitive conditions through better growth and antioxidant defense system.

Nitrogen (N) is the important nutrition that regulatory plant functioning and environmental stability of invasive plant species under flooding (F) conditions. Little information clarifies the role of nitrogen enrichment and flooding on the invasive plant functional traits and competition with native competitors. Plant functional traits play an essential role in the successful growth of plants under different environmental conditions. Therefore, greenhouse pots experiment was conducted with invasive plant species (Wedelia trilobata, WT), and its native competitor (Wedelia chinensis, WC) in monoculture and cocultivation culture, along with flooding and nitrogen enrichment conditions. Considering the impact of flooding (F) and nitrogen (N) on an individual basis, the plant physiological traits of WC were nonsignificant compared to that of WT. However, in the combination of flooding × additional nitrogen (F.N, F.2N), plant physiological traits of WT were comparatively higher than those of WC, especially in cocultivation. In flooding × additional nitrogen (F.N and F.2N), better phenotypic plasticity at different plant traits makes WT more dominant in resource competition over WC. In conclusion, improved functional traits of WT under nitrogen enrichment and flooding conditions enhanced its competitiveness over native competitors.

Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) is an aggressive and serious annual grass weed in China. Its DD genome is a rich source of genetic material and performs better under different abiotic stress conditions (salinity, drought, temperature, etc.). Reverse-transcribed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a reliable technique for reference gene selection and validation. This work aimed to evaluate the stability of reference gene expression in Ae. tauschii under different abiotic stresses (salinity, drought, hot, and cold) and developmental stages (seedling and development). The results show that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 36-like (UBC36) and protein microrchidia 2-like (HSP) are the most stable genes under control and salinity conditions, respectively. Under drought stress conditions, UBC36 is more stable as compared with others. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) is the most stable reference gene during heat stress conditions and thioredoxin-like protein (YLS) under cold stress condition. Phosphate2A serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (ETIF3) are the most stable genes at seedling and developmental stages. Intracellular transport protein (CAC) is recommended as the most stable gene under different abiotic stresses and at developmental stages. Furthermore, the relative expression levels of NHX1 and DREB under different levels of salinity and drought stress conditions varied with the most (HSP and UBC36) and least (YLS and ACT) stable genes. This study provides reliable reference genes for understanding the tolerance mechanisms in Ae. tauschii under different abiotic stress conditions.

Aegilops tauschii Coss. (2n = 2x = 14, DD) is a problematic weed and a rich source of genetic material for wheat crop improvement programs. We used physiological traits (plant height, dry weight biomass, Na+ and K+ concentration) and 14 microsatellite markers to evaluate the genetic diversity and salinity tolerance in 40 Ae. tauschii populations. The molecular marker allied with salinity stress showed polymorphisms, and a cluster analysis divided the populations into different groups, which indicated diversity among populations. Results showed that the expression level of AeHKT1;4 and AeNHX1 were significantly induced during salinity stress treatments (50 and 200 mM), while AeHKT1;4 showed relative expression in roots, and AeNHX1 was expressed in leaves under the control conditions. Compared with the control conditions, the expression level of AeHKT1;4 significantly increased 1.7-fold under 50 mM salinity stress and 4.7-fold under 200 mM salinity stress in the roots of Ae. tauschii. AeNHX1 showed a relative expression level of 1.6-fold under 50 mM salinity stress and 4.6-fold under 200 mM salinity stress compared with the control conditions. The results provide strong evidence that, under salinity stress conditions, AeHKT1;4 and AeNHX1 synergistically regulate the Na+ homeostasis through regulating Na+ transport in Ae. tauschii. AeNHX1 sequestrated the Na+ into vacuoles, which control the regulation of Na+ transport from roots to leaves under salinity stress conditions in Ae. tauschii.

Dry direct-seeded rice has been shown to save irrigation water and labor. Nonetheless, irrigation management in dry direct-seeded rice has received very little attention. Here, we examined the potential of different irrigation regimes: aerobic rice (AR), alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooding (CF) in dry direct-seeded rice cultivation on two rice cultivars (Pride-1 (hybrid indica) and NB-1 (inbred indica)). Growth, yield attributes, grain yield, total water input, water productivity and benefit cost ratio were measured. Our results showed that AR saved 11.22 and 28.40%, and 5.72 and 32.98% water compared with AWD and CF during 2018 and 2020, respectively. There was a significant difference in grain yield among treatments and cultivars. AWD and CF produced statistically same total dry weight and grain yield, while AR reduced the total dry weight by 31.34% and 38.04% and grain yield by 34.82% and 38.16% in comparison to AWD and CF, respectively, across the years. Except for 1000-grain weight and harvest index in AWD and CF, further differences in total dry weight and grain yield among irrigation treatments were primarily correlated with variations in yield attributes. Among the cultivars, hybrid rice performed better than inbred rice. Over the two-year period, hybrid rice increased total dry weight, grain yield, and water productivity by 9.28%, 13.05%, and 14.28%, respectively, as compared to inbred rice. Regarding water productivity (WP), the maximum percentage (40.90 and 26.53%) was recorded for AWD compared to AR and CF. Among cultivars, more water productivity (14.28%) was calculated for hybrid rice than inbred one. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, leaf area index and crop growth rate contributed to higher grain yield of hybrid rice under AWD and CF. In contrast to WP, the maximum benefit cost ratio was estimated to be higher for CF than that of AR and AWD. For the cultivars, the maximum value (2.26 in 2018 and 2.32 in 2020) was calculated for hybrid rice compared with the inbred one. In conclusion, these results suggests that AWD with maximum WP and CF with maximum BCR could be more efficient approaches than AR. Under CF, hybrid rice cultivars with higher yield and yield-related attributes, WP and BCR performed better.

Aegilops tauschii Coss. is known as a noxious grass weed seriously affecting wheat quality and yield. To investigate its present occurrence in wheat fields and the potential genetic diversity of the grass weed in China, a filed survey covering major wheat production regions was conducted during 2017–2019. Seeds of different Ae. tauschii populations collected from the survey were analyzed with Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) technique. Results showed that Ae. tauschii was occurring in each of the provinces surveyed with varied occurrence frequency ranging from 0.91% in Sichuan Province to 92.85% in Henan Provinces. Eighty alleles with size ranging from 98 bp to 277 bp were detected from the 192 collected Ae. tauschii populations with 17 SSR markers. Ae. tauschii, in this study, exhibited a moderately high level of genetic diversity, high differentiation, deficient heterozygosity and limited gene flow. Compared with other provinces, Hubei populations possessed relatively low genetic diversity. Dendrogram analysis showed that genetic distance did not seem to be related to geographic distribution. Additionally, STRUCTURE analysis suggested that Ae. tauschii populations in wheat fields of China can be divided into three groups, which was further supported by cluster analysis. Among the three groups, solely 7% of the total variation was detected, whereas the majority variation (67%) occurred among different populations within same group. Undoubtedly, such information will help us to better understand population relationships and spread of Ae. tauschii in China and will provide a new perspective for its integrated management.

Seed priming with sorghum water extract (SWE) enhances crop tolerance to salinity stress; however, the application of SWE under salinity for camelina crop has not been documented so far. This study evaluated the potential role of seed priming with SWE in improving salt stress tolerance in camelina. Primed (with 5% SWE and distilled water-hydropriming) and nonprimed seeds were sown under control (no salt) and salt stress (10 dS m−1) conditions. Salinity reduced camelina’s emergence and growth, while seed priming with SWE improved growth under control and stress conditions. Under salt stress, seed priming with SWE enhanced emergence percentage (96.98%), increased root length (82%), shoot length (32%), root dry weight (75%), shoot dry weight (33%), α-amylase activity (66.43%), chlorophyll content (60–92%), antioxidant enzymes activity (38–171%) and shoot K+ ion (60%) compared with nontreated plants. Similarly, under stress conditions, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and shoot Na+ ion were reduced by 60, 31, and 40% by seed priming with SWE, respectively, over the nonprimed seeds. Therefore, seed priming with SWE may be used to enhance the tolerance against salt stress in camelina.

Background: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is associated with acute brain injury (ABI), including central nervous system (CNS) ischemia (defined as ischemic stroke or hypoxic-ischemic brain injury [HIBI]) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Data on prediction models for neurologic outcomes in VV-ECMO are limited. Methods: We analyzed adult (age ≥18 years) VV-ECMO patients in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry (2009-2021) from 676 centers. ABI was defined as CNS ischemia, ICH, brain death, and seizures. Data on 67 variables were extracted, including clinical characteristics and pre-ECMO/on-ECMO variables. Random forest, CatBoost, LightGBM, and XGBoost machine learning (ML) algorithms (10-fold leave-one-out cross-validation) were used to predict ABI. Feature importance scores were used to pinpoint the most important variables for predicting ABI. Results: Of 37,473 VV-ECMO patients (median age, 48.1 years; 63% male), 2644 (7.1%) experienced ABI, including 610 (2%) with CNS ischemia and 1591 (4%) with ICH. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting ABI, CNS ischemia, and ICH were 0.70, 0.68, and 0.70, respectively. The accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for ABI were 85%, 19%, and 95%, respectively. ML identified higher center volume, pre-ECMO cardiac arrest, higher ECMO pump flow, and elevated on-ECMO serum lactate level as the most important risk factors for ABI and its subtypes. Conclusions: This is the largest study of VV-ECMO patients to use ML to predict ABI reported to date. Performance was suboptimal, likely due to lack of standardization of neuromonitoring/imaging protocols and data granularity in the ELSO Registry. Standardized neurologic monitoring and imaging are needed across ELSO centers to detect the true prevalence of ABI.