Showing papers by "Oklahoma State University–Stillwater published in 2023"
TL;DR: In this article , RNA sequencing was used to discover novel P-responsive gene transcripts (PRGTs) in leaves and roots of Arabidopsis and identified 1074 PRGTs with a >5-fold altered abundance during P limitation.
Abstract: Phosphorus (P) limitation in the majority of world soils is a major constraint for plant growth and crop productivity. RNA sequencing was used to discover novel P-responsive gene transcripts (PRGTs) in leaves and roots of Arabidopsis. Hisat StringTie and the Cufflinks TopHat transcript assembler were used to analyze reads and identify 1074 PRGTs with a >5-fold altered abundance during P limitation. Interestingly, 60% of these transcripts were not previously reported. Among the novel PRGTs, 106 were from unannotated genes, and some were among the most P-responsive, including At2g36727 which encodes a novel miRNA. Annotated novel PRGTs encode transcription factors, miRNAs, small signaling peptides, long non-coding RNAs, defense-related proteins, and transporters, along with proteins involved in many biological processes. We identified several genes that undergo alternative splicing during P limitation, including a novel miR399-resistant splice variant of PHOSPHATE2 (PHO2.2). Several novel P-responsive genes were regulated by PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1 (PHR1), PHR1-LIKE 1 (PHL1), and PHO2. We discovered that P-limited plants show increased resistance to pathogens and drought stress mediated by PHR1-PHL1. Identification of novel P-responsive transcripts and the discovery of the influence of P limitation on biotic and abiotic stress adds a significant component to our understanding of plant P signaling.
2 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper developed a novel data-driven approach for personalized lifestyle behaviors recommendation based on machine learning and a personalized exponential utility function model to evaluate the modifications' utilities with respect to CVD risk reduction, individual's effort-benefit consideration, and disease progression uncertainty.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the effects of HPP on cooked steak color and sensory attributes of dark-cutting beef were evaluated with vacuum packaged strip loin sections and treated with 0 (no HPP), 300, 450, and 600 MPa of pressure for 90 s using chilled water.
Abstract: High muscle pH leads to an undercooked appearance. High-pressure processing (HPP) promotes protein denaturation. The objective was to evaluate the effects of HPP on cooked steak color and sensory attributes of dark-cutting beef. USDA Choice (mean pH = 5.5) and dark-cutting (mean pH = 6.3) strip loin sections were vacuum packaged and treated with 0 (no HPP), 300, 450, and 600 MPa of pressure for 90 s using chilled water. Steaks were randomly assigned to measure external cooked color, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and trained sensory panel. Applying 300 MPa of pressure improved (P < 0.05) redness of raw dark-cutting steaks compared with control. HPP treatments did not affect (P > 0.05) a* and chroma of the external cooked steak color. HPP treatments also did not affect (P > 0.05) initial juiciness, sustained juiciness, beef flavor intensity, or overall acceptability. However, 600 MPa made dark-cutting steaks tougher and lighter (P < 0.05) in appearance than all other treatments. In conclusion, low (300 MPa) and moderate (450 MPa) pressure levels improved redness without affecting the eating qualities of dark-cutting cooked steaks. HPP did not minimize the undercooked appearance.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the carboxy monolith precursor was further exploited in the preparation of a chiral stationary phase for enantiomeric separations in the RP mode via its chiral site and its achiral functionality offering both hydrophobic and π-π interactions for aromatic compounds such toluene derivatives and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , an RNA exoribonuclease, XRN1, was identified as a potential therapeutic target to suppress RNA decay and stimulate antitumor immunity, and it was shown that XRN 1 depletion activated IFN signaling and the viral defense pathway; both pathways play determinant roles in regulating immune evasion.
Abstract: Despite the remarkable clinical responses achieved with immune checkpoint blockade therapy, the response rate is relatively low and only a subset of patients can benefit from the treatment. Aberrant RNA accumulation can mediate IFN signaling and stimulate an immune response, suggesting that targeting RNA decay machinery might sensitize tumor cells to immunotherapy. With this in mind, we identified an RNA exoribonuclease, XRN1, as a potential therapeutic target to suppress RNA decay and stimulate antitumor immunity. Silencing of XRN1 suppressed tumor growth in syngeneic immunocompetent mice and potentiated immunotherapy efficacy, while silencing of XRN1 alone did not affect tumor growth in immunodeficient mice. Mechanistically, XRN1 depletion activated IFN signaling and the viral defense pathway; both pathways play determinant roles in regulating immune evasion. Aberrant RNA-sensing signaling proteins (RIG-I/MAVS) mediated the expression of IFN genes, as depletion of each of them blunted the elevation of antiviral/IFN signaling in XRN1-silenced cells. Analysis of pan-cancer CRISPR-screening data indicated that IFN signaling triggered by XRN1 silencing is a common phenomenon, suggesting that the effect of XRN1 silencing may be extended to multiple types of cancers. Overall, XRN1 depletion triggers aberrant RNA-mediated IFN signaling, highlighting the importance of the aberrant RNA-sensing pathway in regulating immune responses. These findings provide the molecular rationale for developing XRN1 inhibitors and exploring their potential clinical application in combination with cancer immunotherapy.Targeting XRN1 activates an intracellular innate immune response mediated by RNA-sensing signaling and potentiates cancer immunotherapy efficacy, suggesting inhibition of RNA decay machinery as a novel strategy for cancer treatment.
1 citations
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined AGF communities in faecal samples from six dairy cattle collected at 24 different time points during the pre-weaning (days 1-48), weaning (day 48-60), and post-weaned (days 60-360) phases.
Abstract: Establishment of microbial communities in neonatal calves is vital for their growth and overall health. While this process has received considerable attention for bacteria, our knowledge on temporal progression of anaerobic gut fungi (AGF) in calves is lacking. Here, we examined AGF communities in faecal samples from six dairy cattle collected at 24 different time points during the pre-weaning (days 1-48), weaning (days 48-60), and post-weaning (days 60-360) phases. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction indicated that AGF colonisation occurs within 24 h after birth, with loads slowly increasing during pre-weaning and weaning, then drastically increasing post-weaning. Culture-independent amplicon surveys identified higher alpha diversity during pre-weaning/weaning, compared to post-weaning. AGF community structure underwent a drastic shift post-weaning, from a community enriched in genera commonly encountered in hindgut fermenters to one enriched in genera commonly encountered in adult ruminants. Comparison of AGF community between calves day 1 post-birth and their mothers suggest a major role for maternal transmission, with additional input from cohabitating subjects. This distinct pattern of AGF progression could best be understood in-light of their narrower niche preferences, metabolic specialisation, and physiological optima compared to bacteria, hence eliciting a unique response to changes in feeding pattern and associated structural GIT development during maturation.
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TL;DR: A trinitarian account of salvation history is central to a Christian account of limited government as mentioned in this paper , where human rule must be subject to law because human beings are not like God, who is a law unto God, and because all human lawmaking, administration, and judging takes place within the context of the laws.
Abstract: Abstract A trinitarian account of salvation history is central to a Christian account of limited government. The inner life of the Trinity is not a structure to be copied in the rule of human community. Instead, the normative implications of the Trinity arise both from the ways in which the triune God is unlike human beings and from the ways in which the triune God has acted within salvation history. Human rule must be subject to law because human beings are not like God, who is a law unto Godself, and because all human lawmaking, administration, and judging takes place within the context of the laws, both natural and revealed, which God the Father has already given. Human rule is properly subjected to formal limits to protect the dignity of all those subject to it and to reflect the limitations on its calling. Human rulers lack the authority to compel conformity in religious matters and the competence to perfect their subjects. Therefore, a constitution should hold rulers accountable for their use of power, disperse power between different organs of government, respect the authority of other social institutions, and establish a basis for stable government but without making a fetish of the nation or the Constitution.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined potential sex-related differences and correlations among the pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT), and mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS)-torque relationships of the vastus lateralis (VL) in 11 healthy males and 12 healthy females.
Abstract: This study examined potential sex-related differences and correlations among the pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT), and mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS)-torque relationships of the vastus lateralis (VL) in 11 healthy males and 12 healthy females. The PA and MT of the VL were quantified with ultrasound. Participants performed an isometric muscle action of the knee extensors that linearly increased to 70% of maximal strength followed by a 12 s plateau. MMG was recorded from the VL. Linear regression models were fit to the log-transformed MMGRMS-torque relationships to calculate b terms (slopes) for the linearly increasing segment. MMGRMS was averaged during the plateau. Males exhibited greater PA (p < 0.001), MT (p = 0.027), b terms (p = 0.005), and MMGRMS (p = 0.016). The b terms were strongly (p < 0.001, r = 0.772) and moderately correlated (p = 0.004, r = 0.571) with PA and MT, respectively, while MMGRMS was moderately correlated with PA (p = 0.018, r = 0.500) and MT (p = 0.014, r = 0.515). The greater mechanical behavior of individuals possessing a larger PA and MT of the VL may reflect increased cross-bridge activity within the muscle fibers. Additionally, PA may help explain sex-related differences in MMGRMS between sexes.
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: In this article , a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was polymerized to about 90% conversion in 9 h at 40°C from the colloidal microstructure of the VAc/fumed silica/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) system.
Abstract: Vinyl acetate (VAc) was polymerized to about 90% conversion in 9 h at 40°C from the colloidal microstructure of the VAc/fumed silica/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) system. The glass transition ( ) of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) polymerized in these emulsion gels with silica was higher ( ) than those of PVAc made from bulk polymerization at 60°C ( ) and the weight average molar mass ( ) was also larger ( about 300 kg/mol) than those from bulk polymerization ( ). Increased , , and lowered processing temperature for these composites could facilitate new applications for PVAc.
TL;DR: In this paper , it was shown that the Mahler measure of the iterates grows geometrically fast with the degree of the polynomial, and the exact base of that exponential growth was expressed via an integral of the Julia set with respect to the invariant measure.
Abstract: Abstract Granville recently asked how the Mahler measure behaves in the context of polynomial dynamics. For a polynomial $f(z)=z^d+\cdots \in {\mathbb C}[z],\ \deg (f)\ge 2,$ we show that the Mahler measure of the iterates $f^n$ grows geometrically fast with the degree $d^n,$ and find the exact base of that exponential growth. This base is expressed via an integral of $\log ^+|z|$ with respect to the invariant measure of the Julia set for the polynomial $f.$ Moreover, we give sharp estimates for such an integral when the Julia set is connected.
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: This paper found that politically connected firms, comparing with their non-connected peers, are less likely to be targeted by short sellers, especially during the periods of market turmoil, and that the absence of short sellers may not necessarily indicate good news but can be attributed to the presence of political connections.
Abstract: This study finds that politically connected firms, comparing with their non–connected peers, are less likely to be targeted by short sellers, especially during the periods of market turmoil. Short sellers’ avoidance of politically connected firms can be attributed to the implicit government guarantee, which significantly increases the target firms’ information complexity and decreases short sellers’ expected risk–adjusted profits. The absence of short sellers consequently results in less negative stock returns for politically connected firms as compared to their non–connected peers. Our findings extend Boehmer et al.(2010) by showing that the absence of short sellers may not necessarily indicate good news but can be attributed to the presence of political connections. This study sheds some light on the sources of market value of political connections.
TL;DR: This paper examined global patterns and determinants of AGF diversity and identified 56 new genera, greatly expanding the documented scope of AGFG diversity and providing an ecologically and evolutionary-grounded model to explain the observed patterns of AGG diversity in extant animal hosts.
Abstract: Despite their role in host nutrition, the anaerobic gut fungal (AGF) component of the herbivorous gut microbiome remains poorly characterized. Here, to examine global patterns and determinants of AGF diversity, we generate and analyze an amplicon dataset from 661 fecal samples from 34 mammalian species, 9 families, and 6 continents. We identify 56 novel genera, greatly expanding AGF diversity beyond current estimates (31 genera and candidate genera). Community structure analysis indicates that host phylogenetic affiliation, not domestication status and biogeography, shapes the community rather than. Fungal-host associations are stronger and more specific in hindgut fermenters than in foregut fermenters. Transcriptomics-enabled phylogenomic and molecular clock analyses of 52 strains from 14 genera indicate that most genera with preferences for hindgut hosts evolved earlier (44-58 Mya) than those with preferences for foregut hosts (22-32 Mya). Our results greatly expand the documented scope of AGF diversity and provide an ecologically and evolutionary-grounded model to explain the observed patterns of AGF diversity in extant animal hosts.
01 Jan 2023
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: In particular, the contamination of oceans and coastal waters by oil, industrial waste, agricultural products and plastics are a major issue as mentioned in this paper , and given the vast nature of the ocean and the widespread pollution from increasing human activities, this presents a considerable challenge for monitoring.
Abstract: There is increasing interest in understanding the chemical and biochemical processes that occur in marine environments and ecosystems. In particular, the contamination of oceans and coastal waters by oil, industrial waste, agricultural products and plastics are a major issue. Given the vast nature of the ocean and the widespread pollution from increasing human activities, this presents a considerable challenge for monitoring. Recent advancements in chemical/bio-sensors has enabled rapid and real-time information to be obtained on countless different substances. Sensing technologies and analytical devices are becoming an important and necessary part of understanding the impact of many pollutants on the ocean.
TL;DR: In this paper , the facile preparation of a monolithic capillary column with surface bound polar ligands for use in hydrophilic interaction capillary electrochromatography is described, which involved the conversion of poly(carboxyethyl acrylate [CEA]-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate[EDMA]) precursor monolith (the so-called carboxy monolith) into a Tris bonded monolith by a post-polymerization functionalization process in the presence of a water soluble carbodiimide, namely N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N´-ethylcarbodiimideshydrochloride).
01 Jan 2023
15 May 2023
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used Gaussian process regression (GPR) trained with PROSAIL simulations in combination with active learning to retrieve canopy foliar biomass and nitrogen content from Sentinel-2 data in three grassland sites with different characteristics, including alpine, prairie, and temperate grasslands in Switzerland, the United States, and Germany, respectively, and one heterogeneous forest and shrubland site in Portugal.
Abstract: Accurate retrieval of biophysical variables is crucial for characterizing properties (i.e. traits) of plant canopies and capturing their spatiotemporal changes. Optical remote sensing offers the unique possibility for frequent and large-scale mapping of biophysical variables due to strong associations between spectral data and plant optical traits. One approach to formally predict plant properties remotely is based on hybrid retrieval. In this approach, a radiative transfer model (RTM) is used to simulate plant spectra for model training and then a machine learning regression is utilized for model prediction.Hybrid retrieval approaches have two main advantages. First, the approach augments large field datasets needed for training with simulations modelled based on physical relationships between electromagnetic radiation and plant properties. The universal physics behind this have led to assumptions of greater transferability of these models when compared to empirical models. Second, the machine learning implementation provides the flexibility and computational efficiency of nonlinear nonparametric methods to link spectra and plant properties.The recent implementation of active learning (AL) approaches offers promising and adaptive solutions to further enhance hybrid retrieval approaches. AL seeks to overcome the genericity and heavy assumptions of RTM simulations as opposed to the noisy real-world spectra and particularities of ecosystems by subsetting the training data to boost model performance. However, it is unclear how the selection of training data by an AL approach thereby affects model transferability and whether its selection relates to the ecology of different sites. Our work aims to assess how representative the AL-selected training samples are for their respective ecosystem and whether the generated models are transferable to other study sites.Here, we used Gaussian process regression (GPR) trained with PROSAIL simulations in combination with AL to retrieve canopy foliar biomass and nitrogen content from Sentinel-2 data in three grassland sites with different characteristics, including alpine, prairie, and temperate grasslands in Switzerland, the United States, and Germany, respectively, and one heterogeneous forest and shrubland site in Portugal. We compared the trait space of the selected training samples with those of in-situ data and TRY database to assess their respective ecological representativeness. Further, we used our generated models to predict canopy foliar biomass and nitrogen across sites to check for their transferability.Our preliminary results show promising accuracy of locally trained models to retrieve canopy foliar biomass (Switzerland: R2 = 0.41, RMSE = 106.5 g/m2; United States: R2 = 0.42, RMSE = 85.5 g/m2; Germany: R2 = 0.28, RMSE = 96.2 g/m2; Portugal: R2 = 0.6, RMSE = 60.9 g/m2). In particular, AL-selected training data increased model performances but was highly affected by the validation data thus limiting the general transferability of the models across study sites.Based on these results, we can confirm adequate and stable performance of locally trained GPR-AL models. However, the transferability of such an approach requires further testing and an expanded search for solutions. For now, strong trade-offs exist between local optimization and transferability which challenges predictions of high accuracy across large spatial extents with limited field data.
TL;DR: In this paper , an interconnected visual swarm model incorporating heterogeneous delays is developed, and bifurcation analysis and swarm simulation are applied to assess swarm stability under the delays, and the experiment recorded 450 insect trajectories and quantified visual tracking delay variation.
Abstract: Abstract Flying insects routinely demonstrate coordinated flight in crowded assemblies despite strict communication and processing constraints. This study experimentally records multiple flying insects tracking a moving visual stimulus. System identification techniques are used to robustly identify the tracking dynamics, including a visuomotor delay. The population delay distributions are quantified for solo and group behaviors. An interconnected visual swarm model incorporating heterogeneous delays is developed, and bifurcation analysis and swarm simulation are applied to assess swarm stability under the delays. The experiment recorded 450 insect trajectories and quantified visual tracking delay variation. Solitary tasks showed a 30ms average delay and standard deviation of 50ms, while group behaviors show a 15ms average and 8ms standard deviation. Analysis and simulation indicate that the delay adjustments during group flight support swarm formation and center stability, and are robust to measurement noise. These results quantify the role of visuomotor delay heterogeneity in flying insects and their role in supporting swarm cohesion through implicit communication.
14 Mar 2023
TL;DR: In this article , the effect of the centrifugation time on the efficacy of the process by studying the dynamics of the blood cells via the well-known Langevin equation or equivalently, by solving the Fokker-Plank equation was examined.
Abstract: Centrifugation is a commonly performed laboratory procedure that helps to separate blood cells such as red blood cells _RBCs_, white blood cells _WBCs_, and platelets from plasma or serum. Although centrifugation is a routine procedure in most medical laboratories, the factors that affect the efficacy of the centrifugation process have never been studied analytically. In this paper, we examine the effect of the centrifugation time on the efficacy of the centrifugation process by studying the dynamics of the blood cells via the well-known Langevin equation or equivalently, by solving the Fokker-Plank equation. Our result depicts that the speed of the centrifuge is one of the determinant factors concerning the efficacy of the centrifugation process. As the angular speed increases, the centrifugal force steps up and as result, the particles are forced to separate from the plasma or serum. The room temperature also considerably affects the dynamics of analyse during centrifugation. Most importantly, the generation of heat during centrifugation steps up the temperature within a centrifuge and as a result, not only the stability of the sample but also mobility of analyse is affected. We show that as the centrifuge temperature steps up, the velocity of the cells as well as the displacement of the cell in the fluid increases. We then study the dynamics of the whole blood during capillary action where in this case the blood flows upward in a narrow space without the assistance of external forces. Previous investigations show that the height that the fluid rises increases as the surface tension steps up. The viscosity of the fluid also affects the capillary action but to date, the dependence of the height on viscosity has never been explored due to the lack of a mathematical correlation between the viscosity of blood and surface tension [1]. In this work, we first examine the correlation between surface tension and viscous friction via data fitting. Our result exhibits that the viscosity of the blood increases linearly as the surface tension increases. The mathematical relation between the height and viscous friction is derived. It is shown that the height of the blood that rises in capillary increases as the viscous friction steps up. As the temperature of the room steps up, the height also decreases. The dependence of erythrocytes sedimentation rate on surface tension is also studied. The results obtained in this work show that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ESR increases as surface tension steps down.
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: The proceedings of HYDRO 2021 focusing on emerging opportunities and challenges in hydraulics and fluid mechanics are presented in this paper , which includes the proceedings of the Hydraulics & Fluid Mechanics Symposium.
Abstract: This book comprises the proceedings of HYDRO 2021 focusing on emerging opportunities & challenges in hydraulics and fluid mechanics
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: Parasomnias include a wide array of behaviors, movements and sensory phenomena that occur near or during sleep as mentioned in this paper , which can range from the benign normal variant of sleep talking to dramatic and violent events occurring from NREM and REM sleep.
Abstract: Parasomnias include a wide array of behaviors, movements and sensory phenomena that occur near or during sleep. These events can range from the benign normal variant of sleep talking to dramatic and violent events occurring from NREM and REM sleep. Each of these disorders on the surface have some similar features but have different underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Thus, these events offer an excellent opportunity to better understand the mechanisms of the sleep state regulation and determinants of sensory and motor processing. In addition, these events show us the mechanisms involved in the boundary and differentiation between wake and each sleep state. Some events herald the presence of other sleep disorders, whereas other events may indicate a defect in a specific neuronal pathway. Parasomnias offer a window to the brain for the astute clinician to understand the states of sleep and wake, and possibly pathology that may otherwise be imperceptible in the awake state.
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: Soil studies in archaeological research are an essential component of archaeological research during survey and at excavation of sites, and for the interpretation of data as mentioned in this paper , and the application of methods and techniques developed in soil science have been adapted to solve archaeological problems.
Abstract: Soil studies in archaeology are an essential component of archaeological research during survey and at excavation of sites, and for the interpretation of data. The application of methods and techniques developed in soil science have been adapted to solve archaeological problems. Geoarchaeology incorporates the methods and techniques of all geosciences in the field of archaeological research. Soil studies target several foci, including site formation and abandonment (site taphonomy), the reconstruction of ancient landscapes and environments, soils transformed by humans, including those transformed by ancient agricultural societies. This diversity of research encompasses studies at several scales, from those incorporating archaeological territories and landscapes to those at the microscopic level.
01 Feb 2023
TL;DR: In this paper , the effect of decellularized platelet-rich fibrin (dPRF) loaded strontium (Sr) doped porous magnesium phosphate (MgP) bioceramics on biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bone regeneration was reported.
Abstract: The present work reports the effect of decellularized platelet-rich fibrin (dPRF) loaded strontium (Sr) doped porous magnesium phosphate (MgP) bioceramics on biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bone regeneration. Sustained release of growth factors from dPRF is a major objective here, which conformed to the availability of dPRF on the scaffold surface even after 7 days of in vitro degradation. dPRF-incorporated MgP scaffolds were implanted in the rabbit femoral bone defect and bone rejuvenation was confirmed by radiological examination, histological examination, fluorochrome labeling study, and micro-CT. μ-CT examination of the regained bone samples exhibited that invasion of mature bone in the pores of the MgP2Sr-dPRF sample was higher than the MgP2Sr which indicated better bone maturation capability of this composition. Quantifiable assessment using oxytetracycline labeling showed 73.55 ± 1.12% new osseous tissue regeneration for MgP2Sr-dPRF samples in contrast to 65.47 ± 1.16% for pure MgP2Sr samples, after 3 months of implantation. Histological analysis depicted the presence of abundant osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells in dPRF-loaded Sr-doped MgP samples as compared to other samples. Radiological studies also mimicked similar results in the MgP2Sr-dPRF group with intact periosteal lining and significant bridging callus formation. The present results indicated that dPRF-loaded Sr-doped magnesium phosphate bioceramics have good biocompatibility, bone-forming ability, and suitable biodegradability in bone regeneration.
15 May 2023
TL;DR: In this article , three spectral diversity approaches were proposed to quantify plant diversity in two distinct grassland ecosystems: an agricultural landscape in the Swiss Alps and a tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma, U.S.
Abstract: Technological advances in optical remote sensing, which measures the electromagnetic radiation reflected by an object at various wavelengths, allow for efficient and relatively inexpensive collection of baseline data related to biodiversity. In particular, spectral diversity—the variability in remotely sensed spectral reflectance data obtained from plant communities—has emerged as a valuable proxy for different facets of biodiversity, such as plant taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity. However, successful estimation of plant diversity using spectral diversity is negatively impacted by several factors, including: i) limited or coarse spatial resolution of remote sensing data, ii) changes in remotely sensed reflectance data over time, and iii) weak linkages between species counts and spectral diversity in agricultural landscapes. To overcome these limitations, we present three novel spectral diversity approaches: i) a subpixel spectral diversity approach, ii) a multi-temporal spectral diversity approach, and iii) an object-based spectral diversity approach. Here, we provide different case studies using these three spectral diversity approaches to quantify plant diversity in two distinct grassland ecosystems: an agricultural landscape in the Swiss Alps and a tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma, U.S.
TL;DR: Lopes dos Santos et al. as discussed by the authors explored variation-dependent differences in push-up and sit-up tests, as well as identify the relationships between pushup and sitting-up variations commonly performed among tactical personnel.
Abstract: Lopes dos Santos, M, Thompson, M, Dinyer-McNeely, T, Torrence, T, Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, and Dawes, JJ. Differences and Relationships Between Push-up and Sit-up Variations Among Male Law Enforcement Cadets. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—The purpose of this study was to explore variation-dependent differences in push-up and sit-up tests, as well as to identify the relationships between push-up and sit-up variations commonly performed among tactical personnel. Data from 41 (age = 21.1 ± 1.8 years, body mass = 89.5 ± 15.5 kg) male police cadets from one US-based training academy who performed the standard push-up (PUStandard), hand-release push-up (PUHand-release), standard sit-up (SUStandard), and hands behind the head sit-up (SUBehindHead) were examined. The maximum number of repetitions completed for each exercise was used for analyses with paired-samples t tests used to identify significant differences between outcome measures and effect sizes (ES) to determine change in magnitude. A significant difference, with a large ES, was found in the number of repetitions completed between the push-up variations (p < 0.001, ES = 0.75) and sit-up variations (p < 0.001, ES = 1.02). Performance in PUStandard was only able to explain 39% of the variation in PUHand-release (r = 0.62, r2 = 0.39, p < 0.001), and performance in the SUStandard was only able to explain 29% of the variation in SUBehindHead (r = 0.54, r2 = 0.29, p < 0.001). The current study suggests differences in performance capabilities may be dependent on the push-up and sit-up variations chosen for testing. Although it is still unclear whether one variation would be a better predictor of police work performance, agencies must give special attention to the overall construct validity of fitness tests for entry and retention of law enforcement officers.
01 Jan 2023
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors examined the attitudes of students toward STEM with a near-peer mentor model and without a nearpeer mentor (NPM) in a virtual STEM research-based designed experience.
Abstract: The lack of US underrepresented and underserved students seeking professions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a pressing issue. Unfortunately, below 50% of the students who enter the STEM fields graduate with a STEM-related degree. Hence, the USA must continue to be innovative and take creative steps to compete as a world power and leader in STEM fields. If innovation and creative STEM outreach efforts shift focus from working professionals and begin targeting traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM at the secondary education level, this would increase the technical talent pool. This study examines the attitudes of students toward STEM with a near-peer mentor model and without a near-peer mentor (NPM) in a virtual STEM research-based designed experience. The pilot quantitative study design fostered a supportive, structured virtual environment in which students can gain confidence in their abilities to master STEM subjects and become motivated to strive from internally driven values to achieve. The study's results reveal how student participants experienced near-peer mentoring and non-near-peer mentoring. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for the next steps to address the needs of underrepresented and underserved groups through structuring the near-peer mentoring experience to provide continuity throughout the virtual STEM learning experience.