Search Results (11,591)

This research presents a closed-form mathematical framework for assessing the performance of a wireless communication system in the presence of multipath fading channels with an instantaneous signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subjected to the inverse power Lomax (IPL) distribution. It is demonstrated that depending on the channel parameters, such a model can describe both severe and light fading covering most cases of the well-renowned simplified models (i.e., Rayleigh, Rice, Nakagami-m, Hoyt, $\alpha -\mu$, Lomax, etc.). This study provides the exact results for a basic statistical description of an IPL channel, including the PDF, CDF, MGF, and raw moments. The derived representation was further used to assess the performance of a communication link. For this purpose, the exact expression and their high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) asymptotics were derived for the amount of fading (AoF), outage probability (OP), average bit error rate (ABER), and ergodic capacity (EC). The closed-form and numerical hyper-Rayleigh analysis of the IPL channel is performed, identifying the boundaries of weak, strong, and full hyper-Rayleigh regimes (HRRs). An in-depth analysis of the system performance was carried out for all possible fading channel parameters’ values. The practical applicability of the channel model was supported by comparing it with real-world experimental results. The derived expressions were tested against a numerical analysis and statistical simulation and demonstrated a high correspondence. Full article

Mechanical transplanting has become an important part of modern Chinese rice production, and an inadequate sowing rate severely inhibits rice seedling growth and development. Precision drill sowing is an effective method for obtaining higher quality seedlings during machine transplanting. There is a lack of systematic research on the precision drilling of rice. Therefore, we carried out research on the quality of machine-transplanted seedlings and precision drill sowing transplantation. A greenhouse experiment (Liaoning Rice Research Institute) and field experiment (Sujiatun District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China) were conducted between 2020 and 2021 to analyze the influence of precision drill sowing on rice growth and yield. Precision drill sowing was conducted at four sowing rates (3400, 3600, 3800, and 4000 seeds/tray), and traditional broadcasting was also conducted at a sowing rate of 4000 seeds/tray. We evaluated the seedling rice quality, physiological and biochemical characteristics and transplanting quantity. The results indicated that precision drill sowing at a sowing rate of 3400 seeds/tray resulted in the highest plumpness value (0.18) and seedling strength index (0.42) of individual plants. However, the empty hill rate was as high as 3.05%, which did not satisfy the field seedling number requirement. Precision drill sowing at a sowing rate of 4000 seeds/tray resulted in the lowest physiological (the average levels of SOD, POD and soluble protein were 311.78 µg/g, 8.25 µg/g and 1.28 µg/g) and biochemical indices of individual plants. The damaged seedling rate increased by 2.07%, and the dead seedling rate increased by 0.25%, resulting in poor seedling and transplanting quality. In this study, 3800 seeds/tray was the best option and had the highest yields of 10,776.60 kg/ha and 10,730.85 kg/ha over the two years. This sowing approach performs well in terms of field transplanting, provides a balance point between seedling number and quality and is conducive to rice yield production. The results of this study are important for improving rice seedling quality, enhancing field transplanting quantity and increasing rice yield and food security. Full article

Rice false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, threatens rice production by reducing yields and contaminating grains with harmful ustiloxins. However, studies on resistance genes are scarce. In this study, the resistance level of IR28 (resistant cultivar) to U. virens was validated through artificial inoculation. Notably, a reactivation of resistance genes after transient down-regulation during the first 3 to 5 dpi was observed in IR28 compared to WX98 (susceptible cultivar). Cluster results of a principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the transcriptome exhibited longer expression patterns in the early infection phase of IR28, consistent with its sustained resistance response. Results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses highlighted the suppression of immune pathways when the hyphae first invade stamen filaments at 5 dpi, but sustained up-regulated DEGs were linked to the ‘Plant–pathogen interaction’ (osa04626) pathway, notably disease-resistant protein RPM1 (K13457, CNLs, coil-coiled NLR). An analysis of CNLs identified 245 proteins containing Rx-CC and NB-ARC domains in the Oryza sativa Indica genome. Partial candidate CNLs were shown to exhibit up-regulation at both 1 and 5 dpi in IR28. This study provides insights into CNLs’ responses to U. virens in IR28, potentially informing resistance mechanisms and genetic breeding targets. Full article

Most articles on the exposure to arsenic (As) associated with rice and rice products come from Asia where these products are consumed in the largest quantities; relatively few of the articles have focused on European consumers. Since rice products can represent a significant contribution to overall arsenic exposure, the aim of the study was to determine the total arsenic content (tAs) in rice and the most commonly-consumed rice products available on the Polish market. The tAs determination was performed by hydride generation coupled to inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES). Because an inorganic form of As (iAs) is mutagenic and carcinogenic and about 100-fold more toxic than the organic form, an additional aim of the study was to assess the risk of its ingestion, assuming that it constitutes 67.7%, 72.7%, or 90% of tAs. In all products tested, the calculated iAs content was below the maximum permissible levels, and no threat was found for any of the analyzed Polish consumers, based on the mean rice consumption in Poland and the mean calculated iAs content. However, a potential health risk was noted among infants and young children, assuming maximum iAs levels and threefold higher consumption (16.2 g d⁻¹). To avoid a risk of developing cancer, infants up to one year of age should consume no more than 32.2 g of the studied products per week, children under three years of age up to 68.7 g, and adults 243 g. Consumers should strive to include a variety of cereals in their daily diet and choose products shown to have low arsenic contamination levels based on testing and inspection rankings. Full article

Throughout the world, chili and chili powders are spices of considerable economic importance. Rocoto (Capsicum pubescens R. & P.) is a chili pepper used in Andean cuisine. Fresh chili is perishable and therefore it is convenient to protect the capsaicin, color and other bioactive compounds through preservation methods such as encapsulation. The present study systematically evaluates the technical and environmental aspects of producing encapsulated Rocoto red chili powder using three different wall materials—maltodextrin, rice protein and rice flour—in conjunction with two drying methods, namely convection drying and vacuum drying. Our technical objectives focused on developing an encapsulated product with high heat and vibrant red color, key attributes that significantly influence consumer purchasing behavior. In addition, the study aimed to mitigate the loss of polyphenols, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. After identifying the optimal conditions for each wall material and drying process, a comprehensive environmental assessment was conducted to identify the most efficient and sustainable production methods. The results demonstrate that rice flour encapsulation (20%) in conjunction with hot air drying (40 °C) represents the most efficacious method for the preservation of chili powder’s pungency. This approach resulted in a mere 24% reduction in Scoville units while maintaining the powder’s vibrant red coloration. This method not only preserved key bioactive compounds, including capsaicin, polyphenols and flavonoids, but also significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the product. From an environmental perspective, this approach offers significant sustainability benefits, reducing the overall environmental impact by approximately 72% compared to vacuum drying of unencapsulated chili. The use of rice flour as an encapsulant aligns with sustainability goals, making it the most efficient option for balancing product quality and environmental performance. Full article

This study determined the optimal production of furfural (FuR) from liquid hydrolysate xylan liquor obtained through a two-stage pretreatment process using NaOH for de-ashing and EtOH for the delignification of raw rice husk (RH). The de-ashing pretreatment was conducted at 150 °C, with 6.0% (w/v) NaOH and a reaction time of 40 min. The optimal conditions for delignification pretreatment, performed using an organosolv fractionation method with EtOH, were a reaction temperature of 150 °C, 60% (v/v) EtOH, 0.25% (w/v) H₂SO₄, and a reaction time of 90 min. Through a two-stage pretreatment process, a liquid hydrolysate in the form of xylan liquor was obtained, which was subjected to an acid catalytic conversion process to produce FuR. The process conditions were varied, with reaction temperatures of 130–170 °C, H₂SO₄ catalyst concentrations of 1.0–3.0 wt.%, and reaction times of 0–90 min. The Response Surface Methodology tool was used to identify the optimal FuR yield from xylan liquor. Ultimately, the optimal process conditions for the acid catalytic conversion were found to be a substrate-to-catalyst ratio of 2:8, a reaction temperature of 168.9 °C, a catalyst concentration of 1.9 wt.%, and a reaction time of 41.24 min, achieving an FuR yield of 67.31%. Full article

The objective of this systematic review (SR) was to select studies on the use of gene editing by CRISPR technology related to plant resistance to biotic stresses. We sought to evaluate articles deposited in six electronic databases, using pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This SR demonstrates that countries such as China and the United States of America stand out in studies with CRISPR/Cas. Among the most studied crops are rice, tomatoes and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The most cited biotic agents include the genera, Xanthomonas, Manaporthe, Pseudomonas and Phytophthora. This SR also identifies several CRISPR/Cas-edited genes and demonstrates that plant responses to stressors are mediated by many complex signaling pathways. The Cas9 enzyme is used in most articles and Cas12 and 13 are used as additional editing tools. Furthermore, the quality of the articles included in this SR was validated by a risk of bias analysis. The information collected in this SR helps to understand the state of the art of CRISPR/Cas aimed at improving resistance to diseases and pests to understand the mechanisms involved in most host–pathogen relationships. This SR shows that the CRISPR/Cas system provides a straightforward method for rapid gene targeting, providing useful information for plant breeding programs. Full article

Malnutrition is a major concern in Madagascar. Eating a wide variety of nutritious food is necessary because Malagasy diets heavily rely on rice consumption. This study explored the barriers to dietary change towards diversification from the perspective of consumer behaviour. We analysed the impact of risk and time preferences on dietary diversity using economic experiments conducted with 539 rural lowland rice farmers in Central Highlands in Madagascar. The results showed that risk-averse or impatient individuals were more likely to have lower Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), indicating poorer diet quality. Risk-averse people may not want to add different foods to meals as they perceive unfamiliar food as a ‘risk’; people who prefer immediate gratification may fail to invest in nutritious diets now to achieve better health in the future. Additionally, higher HDDS was observed among households with a female head who earned off-farm income and who had frequent market visits. These findings contribute to explaining the limited shift in nutritional transition in Madagascar and provide useful insights into nutritional policies promoting healthier food choices. Depending on the preferences, more focused support such as nutritional education, financial support, market development, and pre-commitment mechanisms could be provided to reward long-term nutritional benefits. Full article

Improving the taste quality of rice porridge in a scientific way is essential to guiding residential and commercial production. This study aimed to determine the impact of konjac glucomannan (KGM) on the taste quality of rice porridge. The obtained results showed that the optimal concentration of KGM added to rice porridge is 1%. This was primarily observed via the reduction in water absorption, swelling power, and iodine blue value, thus increasing the hardness of rice porridge. At the same time, KGM also reduced the free water content and improved the water-holding capacity of rice porridge. Nevertheless, the pasting properties showed that the high viscosity of KGM raised the pasting viscosity of rice flour, thereby enhancing the stickiness of rice porridge with the increase in the KGM concentration. In addition, KGM gave the rice porridge a stronger aroma. Sensory evaluations further confirmed significant improvements in the color, odor, palatability, and overall acceptability of KGM-supplemented rice porridge (p < 0.05). To summarize, adding an appropriate amount of KGM was beneficial in forming a richer flavor and improving the taste quality of rice porridge. The findings offer valuable insights into the scientific processing of rice porridge products. Full article

JASMONATE ZIM domain (JAZ) proteins, inhibitors of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, are identified in different plants, such as rice and Arabidopsis. These proteins are crucial for growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, limited information is available regarding the JAZ family in alfalfa. This study identified 11 JAZ genes (MsJAZs) in the “Zhongmu No.1” reference genome of alfalfa. The physical and chemical properties, chromosome localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, cis-acting elements, and collinearity of the 11 MsJAZ genes were subsequently analyzed. Tissue-specific analysis revealed distinct functions of different MsJAZ genes in growth and development. The expression patterns of MsJAZ genes under salt stress conditions were validated using qRT-PCR. All MsJAZ genes responded to salt stress, with varying levels of upregulation over time, highlighting their role in stress responses. Furthermore, heterogeneous expression of MsJAZ1 in Arabidopsis resulted in significantly lower seed germination and survival rates in OE-2 and OE-4 compared to the WT under 150 mM NaCl treatment. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of the function of the JAZ family and provides significant insights into the genetic improvement of alfalfa. Full article

Conservation tillage methods, including straw return (SR) and no tillage (NT), are widely used to improve the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and crop yield. However, applying SR or NT separately has become a common practice for farmers producing different crops or those in different regions. Evaluating the effects of SR or NT on the SOC content, carbon emissions, and crop yield are important for guiding the correct application of conservation tillage and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis based on 1014 sets of data obtained in China to assess the effects of SR and NT on the SOC content, carbon emissions, and crop yield. Compared with no straw return, SR increased the SOC content and crop yield by 10% and 8.6%, respectively, but with no significant impact on carbon emissions. Compared with conventional tillage, NT increased the SOC content by 2.9% and reduced the carbon emissions and crop yield by 18% and 3.9%, respectively. We also found that SR combined with NT had an additive effect, where the combination improved SOC more than applying SR or NT alone. If applying SR or NT alone, the specific climatic conditions, soil characteristics, and field management strategies need to be considered to maximize SOC. In particular, SR should be used in limited hydrothermal conditions (low temperature or low precipitation) and areas where rice–wheat rotation is implemented. NT can be used under any climate conditions, but it can effectively increase the SOC content in continuous wheat cropping areas. Full article

As an important global food crop, rice is damaged by a variety of piercing–sucking pests. Identifying a broad-spectrum promoter induced by the physical signal of sucking pests and applying it to transgenic breeding to mitigate the damage caused by different sucking pests will significantly improve the efficiency of our breeding. This study compared the transcriptome changes in two rice varieties under needle-wounding stress to investigate their differential responses to mechanical damage. The results showed that the insect-susceptible variety TN1 exhibited more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and greater changes in expression levels after needle treatment, indicating a more active internal gene regulatory network. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis further revealed that TN1 not only exhibited changes in genes related to the extracellular environment, but also mobilized more genes associated with stress response and defense. By screening the differentially expressed genes, we identified two promoters (P1 and P2) with inducible expression characteristics in both the resistant and susceptible rice varieties. These promoters were able to effectively drive the expression of the insect resistance gene OsLecRK1* and enhance the resistance of transgenic plants against the brown planthopper. This study provides promoter resources for the development of insect-resistant transgenic crops. Full article

Rice is an important food crop worldwide but is usually susceptible to saline stress. When grown on soil with excessive salt, rice plants experience osmotic, ionic, and oxidative stresses that adversely affect growth performance. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a nonproteinogenic amino acid that plays an important role in the metabolic activities of organisms. Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is the rate-limiting enzyme in GABA metabolism. Here, we genetically modified rice GAD by overexpression or CRISPR-mediated genome editing. These lines, named gad3-ox1 and gad3-ox2 or gad1/3-ko, were used to explore the effects of endogenous GABA accumulation on salt tolerance in rice. Both the gad3-ox1 and gad3-ox2 lines exhibited significant accumulation of the GABA content, whereas the gad1/3-ko line presented a reduced GABA content in vivo. Notably, the two overexpression lines were markedly resistant to salt stress compared with the wild-type and knockout lines. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that endogenous GABA accumulation in the gad3-ox1 and gad3-ox2 lines increased the contents of antioxidant substances and osmotic regulators, decreased the content of membrane lipid peroxidation products and the Na⁺ content, and resulted in strong tolerance to salt stress. Together, these data provide a theoretical basis for cultivating rice varieties with strong salt tolerance. Full article

In the environmental field, the advancement of new high-efficiency heavy metal adsorption materials remains a continuous research focus. A novel composite, covalent organic framework-modified biochar (RH-COF), was fabricated via an in-situ polymerization approach in this study. The COF-modified biochar was characterized by elemental analysis, BET analysis, SEM, FT-IR, and XPS. The nitrogen and oxygen content in the modified material increased significantly from 0.96% and 15.50% to 8.88% and 22.37%, respectively, indicating the addition of a substantial number of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing functional groups to the RH-COF surface, thereby enhancing its adsorption capacity for Cd from 4.20 mg g⁻¹ to 58.62 mg g⁻¹, representing an approximately fourteen-fold increase. Both the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model were suitable for describing the kinetics and isotherms of Cd²⁺ adsorption onto RH-COF. The adsorption performance of Cd²⁺ by RH-COF showed minimal sensitivity to pH values between 4.0 and 8.0, but could be slightly influenced by ionic strength. Mechanistic analysis showed that the Cd²⁺ adsorption on RH-COF was dominated by surface complexation and chelation, alongside electrostatic adsorption, surface precipitation, and Cπ–cation interactions. Overall, these findings suggest that the synthesis of COF-biochar composite may serve as a promising remediation strategy while providing scientific support for applying COF in environmental materials. Full article

Thin clouds in Remote Sensing (RS) imagery can negatively impact subsequent applications. Current Deep Learning (DL) approaches often prioritize information recovery in cloud-covered areas but may not adequately preserve information in cloud-free regions, leading to color distortion, detail loss, and visual artifacts. This study proposes a Sparse Transformer-based Generative Adversarial Network (SpT-GAN) to solve these problems. First, a global enhancement feature extraction module is added to the generator’s top layer to enhance the model’s ability to preserve ground feature information in cloud-free areas. Then, the processed feature map is reconstructed using the sparse transformer-based encoder and decoder with an adaptive threshold filtering mechanism to ensure sparsity. This mechanism enables that the model preserves robust long-range modeling capabilities while disregarding irrelevant details. In addition, inverted residual Fourier transformation blocks are added at each level of the structure to filter redundant information and enhance the quality of the generated cloud-free images. Finally, a composite loss function is created to minimize error in the generated images, resulting in improved resolution and color fidelity. SpT-GAN achieves outstanding results in removing clouds both quantitatively and visually, with Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) values of 98.06% and 92.19% and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values of 36.19 dB and 30.53 dB on the RICE1 and T-Cloud datasets, respectively. On the T-Cloud dataset, especially with more complex cloud components, the superior ability of SpT-GAN to restore ground details is more evident. Full article