Search Results (30)

The root conformation of soybean is critical to achieve physiological activities such as nodulation and nitrogen fixation; however, the molecular determinants behind genotypic differences in its early development remain poorly described. In this study, we compared the characteristics of the soybean varieties HN75 and HN76 and examined developmental disparities in their root architectural characteristics and the transcriptomic profiles of radicles between them. The plant height and 100-grain weight of HN75, which had a longer growth cycle of 170 days, were slightly higher than those of HN76, which had a shorter growth cycle of 120 days. However, the numbers of pods and grains per plant were slightly lower. In terms of quality traits, HN75 had a higher oil content (23.40% versus 21.50%), whereas HN76 had a higher protein content (41.39% versus 35.71%). HN75 exhibited markedly superior root elongation (13.27 cm versus 10.15 cm), enhanced lateral root proliferation, and significantly greater nodule formation (19.53 versus 8.60 nodules per plant) relative to HN76 at 30 days post-germination, notwithstanding comparable nodule biomass. Chronobiological analysis (0–96 h post-germination) identified a pivotal developmental window of 48–72 h post-germination. Transcriptomic profiling of radicle tissues revealed 4792 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HN75 compared to 896 in HN76 during this critical interval, indicating substantially heightened transcriptional activity in HN75. Functional annotation enrichment demonstrated that HN75 DEGs were significantly enriched in phytohormone signalling cascades and isoprenoid biosynthetic pathways, whereas HN76 DEGs were predominantly associated with protein processing within the endoplasmic reticulum. We screened for eight genes (Glyma 10G071400, Glyma 13G057500, Glyma 08G016900, Glyma 09G028000, Glyma 18G265800, Glyma 03G032800, Glyma 02G064100, and Glyma 01G238600) that may play a role in the critical period of radicle development by performing network analyses and verified their dramatic changes in expression during this period by qRT-PCR. These results elucidate varietal-specific physiological and molecular mechanisms governing early radicle development in soybeans. These findings unravel mechanisms governing leguminous radicle development while establishing molecular blueprints for engineering cultivation protocols that would enhance soybean sustainability in edaphically constrained environments. Full article

This study investigates how novice translators distribute their cognitive resources during translation between English and Chinese in both directions, with particular attention paid to the role of translation direction and the divergence between empirical findings and participants’ introspective reports. A combination of eye-tracking and keystroke logging was used to quantify cognitive effort, incorporating participant variation, attention unit type (ST, TT, parallel), gaze event duration, and average pupil dilation. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was applied, with average pupil dilation as the response variable and gaze event duration, AU type, and participant as covariates. An interaction term between gaze event duration and AU type was included in the E-C GLM but omitted from the C-E GLM due to non-significance. The results reveal distinct cognitive demands across translation directions. In English–Chinese (E-C) translation, ST processing significantly reduces pupil dilation (by 3.56%, p < 0.001), whereas TT processing leads to increased cognitive load, particularly during prolonged fixations, with pupil dilation increasing by 1.4% (p = 0.033). In Chinese–English (C-E) translation, ST processing does not significantly differ from parallel processing (p = 0.285), and TT processing reduces pupil dilation by 4.75% (p < 0.001), suggesting that it involves a lower cognitive effort than E-C translation. Gaze event duration significantly affects pupil dilation in C-E translation (p < 0.001); however, its influence in E-C translation varies according to the types of cognitive processing involved. Moreover, a significant gap is observed between the participants’ self-reported reflections and the quantitative data, a disparity that is strongly shaped by the direction of translation. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of cognitive effort in translation and raise implications for translator training, assessment, and cognitive translation studies, particularly in contexts where translation direction and processing mode interact to shape cognitive demand. Full article

The synthesis of nitrate (NO₃⁻) via electrocatalytic nitric oxide oxidation reaction (NOOR) is a green and efficient strategy for nitrogen fixation, which has great advantages over conventional nitrate synthesis. Notably, it also presents a promising solution for the remediation of NO pollutants. In this study, the structure–performance correlations of α-, β-, and δ-MnO₂ catalysts were investigated. These three polymorphs of MnO₂ exhibited disparate surface chemistries, NO adsorption capabilities, and NOOR catalytic activities. In a 1.0 M KOH electrolyte, α-MnO₂, characterized by its large-sized (2 × 2) one-dimensional tunnel structure, demonstrated the most outstanding NOOR catalytic performance, which achieved a remarkable NO₃⁻ yield of 665.2 mg·h⁻¹·mg_cat⁻¹ at a potential of 1.9 V, along with excellent stability and durability. Furthermore, a Zn-NO system was constructed, employing α-MnO₂ as the anode and a Zn plate as the cathode. This innovative setup integrated an energy storage system with NO electrochemical capture, yielding a NO₃⁻ production rate of 265.5 mg·h⁻¹·mg_cat⁻¹. The density functional theory calculations confirm the NO adsorption performance and catalytic activity of three different crystal forms of MnO₂. Full article

Fixational eye movements are important for holding the central visual field on a target for a specific period of time. In this study, we aimed to quantitatively assess fixational disparities using binocular eye tracking in children with strabismus (before and after surgical alignment) and healthy children. Fixational disparities in 117 children (4–18 years; 57 with strabismus and 60 age-similar healthy controls) were recorded under binocular viewing with corrected refractive errors. Disparities in gaze positions relative to the target location were recorded for both eyes. The main outcome measures included fixational disparities along horizontal and vertical axes in the fixation test. Children with strabismus exhibited significant (p < 0.001) fixational disparities compared to healthy children in both horizontal and vertical directions. Additionally, children with esotropia had poorer fixational function compared to those with exotropia. The occurrence of fixational disparities significantly decreased in the horizontal direction following strabismus surgery. A significant negative correlation was observed between binocular best-corrected visual acuity and fixational disparities in children with strabismus. Children with strabismus had significant fixational disparities that were observably diminished in the horizontal direction after surgical alignment. Binocular assessment of fixational disparities can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of visual function in individuals with strabismus. Full article

Background/Objectives: We wished to develop an automated method for quantifying fusion control in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) using an eye tracking device. Methods: Fifty subjects fixated on visual targets on an LCD monitor at a distance of 45 cm, consisting of dots moving horizontally and vertically and randomly appearing dots at fixed positions. The control group consisted of participants with less than 5 prism diopters (PD), and the IXT group consisted of IXT patients with 10 PD or more, excluding divergence excess types. Fixation disparity (FD) was measured using an eye tracking device, and the FD score was compared with the Newcastle Control Score (NCS) and the Mayo Clinic office-based scale (OCS) score. The subjects repeated the test twice, and the test–retest reliability was determined. Results: The fixation disparity scores of the IXT group during horizontal pursuit, vertical pursuit, and random dot fixation showed positive correlations with the NCS (r = 0.549, 0.583, and 0.481, respectively) and OCS score (r = 0.551, 0.570, and 0.505, respectively). The test–retest reliability of the FD scores of the IXT group using an eye tracking device was fair to good for each task (ICC = 0.633, 0.656, and 0.697, respectively). Conclusions: The eye tracking device developed for automated measurement of fusion control has the potential to assist in functional assessments of IXT. Full article

This study investigates public perception and acceptance of AI-generated art using an integrated system that merges eye-tracking methodologies with advanced bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT)-based sentiment analysis. Eye-tracking methods systematically document the visual trajectories and fixation spots of consumers viewing AI-generated artworks, elucidating the inherent relationship between visual activity and perception. Thereafter, the BERT-based sentiment analysis algorithm extracts emotional responses and aesthetic assessments from numerous internet reviews, offering a robust instrument for evaluating public approval and aesthetic perception. The findings indicate that consumer perception of AI-generated art is markedly affected by visual attention behavior, whereas sentiment analysis uncovers substantial disparities in aesthetic assessments. This paper introduces enhancements to the BERT model via domain-specific pre-training and hyperparameter optimization utilizing deep Gaussian processes and dynamic Bayesian optimization, resulting in substantial increases in classification accuracy and resilience. This study thoroughly examines the underlying mechanisms of public perception and assessment of AI-generated art, assesses the potential of these techniques for practical application in art creation and evaluation, and offers a novel perspective and scientific foundation for future research and application of AI art. Full article

The white poplar (Populus alba) is a dioecious woody plant with significant potential for the phytoremediation of soils. To realize this potential, it is necessary to utilize growth-promoting microorganisms. One potential source of such beneficial microorganisms is the rhizosphere community of wild-growing trees. However, the structure, dynamics, and metabolism of the rhizosphere community of wild-growing white poplar remain poorly understood. To ascertain seasonal dynamics, species diversity, and metabolic potential, we sequenced 16S rRNA genes in metagenomes derived from 165 soil samples collected in spring and autumn from the root surfaces of 102 trees situated in disparate geographical locations. The three most prevalent phyla across all samples are Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Acidobacteriota. At the order level, the most prevalent orders are Sphingomonadales and Rhizobiales. Accordingly, the families Sphingomonadaceae and Rhizobiaceae were identified as dominant. The rhizospheric microbiome exhibited substantial inter-seasonal variation. Six families, including Caulobacteraceae, Xanthomonadaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Chthoniobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, and Rhizobiaceae, exhibited alterations (spring-to-autumn) across all geographical locations under study. Members of the Rhizobiaceae family, which includes nitrogen-fixing bacteria, can provide poplar with plant-available forms of nitrogen such as nitrate and ammonium. The rhizosphere microbiome may facilitate the conversion of inorganic sulfur into sulfur-containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine, that are bioavailable to plants. Furthermore, the rhizosphere microbiome is capable of synthesizing amino acids, organic acids (including Krebs cycle acids), and some lipids and sugars. Consequently, the rhizosphere community can stimulate poplar growth by providing it with readily available forms of nitrogen and sulfur, as well as building blocks for the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and other macromolecules. Many of these pathways, including nitrogen fixation, were subjected to seasonal changes. Full article

Dryland ecosystems are highly sensitive to climate change, making vegetation monitoring crucial for understanding ecological dynamics in these regions. In recent years, climate change, combined with large-scale ecological restoration efforts, has led significant greening in China’s arid areas. However, the mechanisms through which seasonal climate variations regulate vegetation growth are not yet fully understood. This study hypothesizes that seasonal climate change affects net primary productivity (NPP) of vegetation by influencing phenology. We focused on China’s Windbreak and Sand-Fixation Ecological Function Conservation Areas (WSEFCAs) as representative regions of dryland vegetation. The Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model was used to estimate vegetation NPP from 2000 to 2020. To extract phenological information, NDVI data were processed using Savitzky–Golay (S–G) filtering and threshold methods to determine the start of season (SOS) and end of season (EOS). The structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to quantitatively assess the contributions of climate change (temperature and precipitation) and phenology to variations in vegetation NPP, identifying the pathways of influence. The results indicate that the average annual NPP in WSEFCAs increased from 55.55 gC/(m²·a) to 75.01 gC/(m²·a), exhibiting uneven spatial distribution. The pathways through which seasonal climate affects vegetation NPP are more complex and uneven. Summer precipitation directly promoted NPP growth (direct effect = 0.243, p < 0.001) while also indirectly enhancing NPP by significantly advancing SOS (0.433, p < 0.001) and delaying EOS (−0.271, p < 0.001), with an indirect effect of 0.133. This finding highlights the critical role of phenology in vegetation growth, particularly in regions with substantial seasonal climate fluctuations. Although the overall ecological environment of WSEFCAs has improved, significant regional disparities remain, especially in northwestern China. This study introduces causal mediation analysis to systematically explore the mechanisms through which seasonal climate change impacts vegetation NPP in WSEFCAs, providing new insights into the broader implications of climate change and offering scientific support for ecological restoration and management strategies in arid regions. Full article

Joint attention (JA), a core deficit in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is crucial for social interaction, emotional understanding, and cognitive development. This study aims to compare and analyze the eye-tracking data of ASD and typically developing children (TDC) during virtual games, exploring how different cue types affect JA performance in ASD children. A total of 31 TDC and 40 ASD children participated in the study. Using eye-tracking devices, we recorded the children’s eye movements as they played virtual games, selecting the correct target based on cues provided by virtual characters. Our findings revealed that different cue types significantly impacted the game scores of ASD children but had no significant effect on TDC, highlighting a notable disparity between the two groups. ASD children showed a lower fixation frequency, irregular fixation paths, and increased attention to non-target objects compared to TDC. Interestingly, among the three cue types, ASD children exhibited a preference for the third type, leading to longer fixation on the region of interest and higher game scores. These results underscore the importance of cue selection in enhancing JA in ASD children. This study provides novel insights into the JA deficits in ASD children and offers a scientific basis for the development of targeted and individualized intervention programs. Full article

In the context of anthropogenic evolution, various sectors have been exploited to satisfy human needs and demands, often pushing them to the brink of deterioration and destruction. One such sector is agrochemicals, which have been increasingly employed to achieve higher yields and bridge the gap between food supply and demand. However, extensive and prolonged use of chemical fertilizers most often degrades soil structure over time, resulting in reduced yields and consequently further exacerbating the disparity between supply and demand. To address these challenges and ensure sustainable agricultural production, utilization of microorganisms offers promising solutions. Hence, microorganisms, particularly effective microorganisms (EMs) and plant growth-promoting microbes (PGPMs), are pivotal in agricultural biomes. They enhance crop yields through active contribution to crucial biological processes like nitrogen fixation and phytohormone synthesis, making vital nutrients soluble and acting as natural enemies against pests and pathogens. Microbes directly enhance soil vigor and stimulate plant growth via the exudation of bioactive compounds. The utilization of EMs and PGPMs reduces the need for chemical inputs, leading to lower costs and reduced environmental pollutants. Furthermore, beneficial soil microflora produces growth-related metabolites and phytohormones that augment plant growth and support stress resilience. Microbes also help plants tolerate various abiotic stresses, including metal stress, salt stress, and drought stress, through various mechanisms. Understanding the interactions and activities of microorganisms provides valuable insights into their potential use to manage stress in plants. Thus, by leveraging the full potential of microorganisms, we can develop healthier agroecosystems that contribute sustainably to meet the growing global food demands. Full article

The commercialization of historic streets constitutes a pivotal aspect of urban cultural heritage, and the comprehension of their visual perception serves as a valuable asset to urban planning and cultural conservation efforts. However, current research concerning the disparities in visual perception among diverse demographics within historic streets, as well as their spatiotemporal dynamics, remains insufficient. This study aims to utilize mobile eye-tracking technology to delve into the visual perceptual characteristics of diverse individuals within commercialized historical urban areas. It seeks to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic shifts, observing how people’s visual perception and focal points of attention evolve alongside the changes in time and space within these commercialized historical districts. We examined the differences in the visual perception of historical urban areas among groups with varying degrees of architectural knowledge and professional expertise, using the example of the Wanshou Palace Historic Cultural District in Nanchang. Through meticulous observation using mobile eye-tracking technology, we elucidate the visual perception patterns of different demographic characteristics through statistical analysis and spatiotemporal modeling. The findings reveal significant discrepancies in visual attention and perception among various groups. Participants with a deeper understanding of architecture tend to fixate on the architectural details and structures within the urban district, with architectural elements garnering a significant share of 68.6% of their visual attention. Conversely, individuals with a lesser comprehension of architecture exhibit a greater interest in shops and signage elements, with architectural elements receiving a mere 59.23% of their visual focus, while commercial elements attract a significant 25.7% of their attention. Moreover, during the process of perceiving the streetscape, participants’ eye movements transition from surrounding landscapes and historical edifices upon initial entry to the district, gradually shifting towards the commercial activities and distinctive architecture within the district. This study delves deeply into the visual perception characteristics and spatiotemporal dynamics of commercialized historic streets, providing invaluable insights for urban planning and cultural preservation endeavors. By revealing the impact of different demographic characteristics on the visual perception of historic streets, it offers new insights for urban planning and cultural heritage conservation. Full article

Mosses host diverse bacterial communities essential for their fitness, nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and pathogen defense. Understanding the microbiome’s taxonomic composition is the first step, but unraveling their functional capabilities is crucial for grasping their ecological significance. Metagenomics characterizes microbial communities by composition, while metatranscriptomics explores gene expression, providing insights into microbiome functionality beyond the structure. Here, we present for the first time a metatranscriptomic study of two moss species, Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Platyhypnidium riparioides (Hedw.) Dixon., renowned as key biomonitors of atmospheric and water pollution. Our investigation extends beyond taxonomic profiling and offers a profound exploration of moss bacterial communities. Pseudomonadota and Actinobacteria are the dominant bacterial phyla in both moss species, but their proportions differ. In H. cupressiforme, Actinobacteria make up 62.45% and Pseudomonadota 32.48%, while in P. riparioides, Actinobacteria account for only 25.67% and Pseudomonadota 69.08%. This phylum-level contrast is reflected in genus-level differences. Our study also shows the expression of most genes related to nitrogen cycling across both microbiomes. Additionally, functional annotation highlights disparities in pathway prevalence, including carbon dioxide fixation, photosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis, among others. These findings hint at potential metabolic distinctions between microbial communities associated with different moss species, influenced by their specific genotypes and habitats. The integration of metatranscriptomic data holds promise for enhancing our understanding of bryophyte–microbe partnerships, opening avenues for novel applications in conservation, bioremediation, and sustainable agriculture. Full article

Climate change is a global threat that is better understood through global research spanning many regions, countries, and life-supporting ecosystems. This review focused on the bibliometric analysis of the distribution of a global research compendium on phytoplankton, an aquatic community that accounts for half of the carbon fixation in the global carbon cycle. A total of 716 primary research papers published in the immediate past decade (2012–2022) were reviewed. The articles were sampled from Web of Science and described field and laboratory experiments quantifying the impact of global climate change on phytoplankton from different climate zones (tropical, subtropical, temperate, subpolar, and polar) and ecosystems (freshwater, brackish, and marine). Analyses of these studies suggest that the bulk of the global research effort (80%) focused on high-latitude areas, and only a few (17%) were carried out in the tropics, largely led by four countries (Australia, Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia), while Africa’s contribution was minuscule (<1%). In terms of ecosystems, the majority (76%) of the research was in marine waters, irrespective of the climate zone. Analyses of these studies also highlighted widespread disparities in phytoplankton research in tropical aquatic ecosystems, particularly in Africa. Strategic investment in terms of targeted funding, institutional networks, and partnerships between the global north and global south are necessary to increase phytoplankton research across different ecosystems in the tropics. Full article

Territorial ecological restoration (TER) is a critical step for promoting the development of an ecological civilization, as well as a significant strategic task relating to national ecological security and the well-being of a population. However, calculating the ecological restoration potential (ERP) is a key challenge in TER. Using Zhaoping County as an example, this study calculated the ecological restoration natural potential (ERNP), including the vegetation coverage potential, water conservation potential, windbreak and sand fixation potential, and biodiversity potential, and proposed an ERP calculation method based on the correction of ERNP with an ecological security pattern (ESP) and social support (SS). The findings revealed several key points. First, using the similarity habitat method to calculate ERNP highlighted significant disparities in the vegetation coverage, water conservation, windbreak and sand fixation, and biodiversity across Zhaoping County. These variations were contrary to regional ecological service functions. Second, overall, the ESP levels in Zhaoping County were high, accounting for about 60.42% of its total area being classified as high or relatively high level, with the towns exhibiting strong SS abilities primarily located in the northern region. Third, the ERP results which are between 0 and 1 indicated that areas with higher potential were mainly found in the west and northeast of Zhaoping, while lower potential areas were concentrated in the northwest and south; of them, the ERP index value in most regions is between 0.2 and 0.3, accounting for about 43.97% of the area. Finally, suggestions for the TER project layout and measures to enhance the ERP were proposed based on these ERP calculations. This study offers new insights into ERP strategies while providing guidance for identifying critical areas requiring restoration. Full article

The National Key Ecological Function Zones (NKEFZ) serve as crucial ecological security barriers in China, playing a vital role in enhancing ecosystem services. This study employed the theoretical framework of ecological benefits assessment in major ecological engineering projects. The primary focus was on the ecosystem macrostructure, ecosystem quality, and key ecosystem services, enabling quantitative analysis of the spatiotemporal changes in the ecosystem status of the NKEFZ from 2000 to 2019. To achieve this, remote sensing data, meteorological data, and model simulations were employed to investigate five indicators, including land use types, vegetation coverage, net primary productivity of vegetation, soil conservation services, water conservation services, and windbreak and sand fixation services. The analysis incorporated the Theil–Sen Median method to construct an evaluation system for assessing the restoration status of ecosystems, effectively integrating ecosystem quality and ecosystem services indicators. The research findings indicated that land use changes in NKEFZ were primarily characterized by the expansion of unused land and the in of grassland. The overall ecosystem quality of these zones improved, showing a stable and increasing trend. However, there were disparities in the changes related to ecosystem services. Water conservation services exhibited a decreasing trend, while soil conservation and windbreak and sand fixation services showed a steady improvement. The ecosystem of the NKEFZ, in general, displayed a stable and recovering trend. However, significant spatial heterogeneity existed, particularly in the southern region of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and at the border areas between western Sichuan and northern Yunnan, where some areas still experienced deteriorating ecosystem conditions. Compared to other functional zones, the trend in the ecosystem of the NKEFZ might not have been the most favorable. Nonetheless, this could be attributed to the fact that most of these areas were situated in environmentally fragile regions, and conservation measures may not have been as effective as in other functional zones. These findings highlighted the considerable challenges ahead in the construction and preservation of the NKEFZ. In future development, the NKEFZ should leverage their unique natural resources to explore distinctive ecological advantages and promote the development of eco-friendly economic industries, such as ecological industry, ecological agriculture, and eco-tourism, transitioning from being reliant on external support to self-sustainability. Full article