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To clarify the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from hen rearing in Japan, we collected air samples from inside a hen shed for the four seasons in 2019 and analyzed 34 VOCs in the air samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. The temperature and humidity inside and outside of the shed were monitored simultaneously during each sampling campaign. The average concentrations of VOCs in the shed ranged from 150 to 427 μg m-3, the concentrations being higher in summer and lower in winter. Acetone, dimethyl sulfide, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone, and acetic acid were dominant throughout all the seasons and these five compounds accounted for 70-89% of the total VOCs. The reactivity of each VOC with hydroxyl radical was also calculated and dimethyl sulfide was found to be the most reactive VOC, accounting for 84-94% of the total hydroxyl radical reactivity. The emission rate (ER) for the total VOCs (μg h-1 kg-1) was 602 in winter, 7,900 in spring, 46,500 in summer and 37,600 in autumn, respectively. Acetone, dimethyl sulfide, 2-butanone, 3-pentanone and acetic acid had higher ERs throughout all the seasons, and these five components accounted for 70-90% of the ERs for the total VOCs. The ERs of the VOCs increased exponentially in accord with temperature increases inside the shed, indicating that the ERs of the VOCs depended on the ambient temperature. The annual VOC emission from one hen and from the hen shed was calculated to be 405 g y-1 and 121 kg y-1, respectively.

Abstract This study aims to analyze and compare the transportation feasibility of the following three tsunami evacuation support devices that carry vulnerable persons: (A) a rollator, (B) a transport chair, and (C) a wheelchair. Each of these supports was examined for its feasibility during transit along a steep slope, gentle slope, and flat land. The results indicated that the rollator was the most feasible tool, followed by the transport chair and the wheelchair; however, having the assistance of support personnel enabled the victims to flee faster and more effectively. Furthermore, the findings indicate that although wheelchairs are the most effective in evacuating vulnerable persons, all the studied tools can provide assistance.

Helminth infections are associated with a reduction in inflammatory pathology in rodent models of type 1 diabetes. Here, the authors show patient data and that trehalose (produced by H. polygyrus) can alter the microbiome of mice, inducing regulatory CD8+ T cells and reducing susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes.

Abstract Objectives Distinguishing undifferentiated‐type from differentiated‐type early gastric cancers (EGC) is crucial for determining the indication of endoscopic resection. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of white‐light endoscopy (WLE) and magnifying narrow‐band imaging (M‐NBI) for the histological type of EGC. Methods In this multicenter prospective study, patients with histologically proven cT1 EGC, macroscopically depressed or flat type, size ≥5 mm, and without erosion/ulcer, were recruited. The diagnostic criterion of WLE for undifferentiated‐type EGC was pale color. The M‐NBI algorithm was created based on microsurface and microvascular patterns, and lesions with absent microsurface pattern and opened‐loop microvascular patterns were diagnosed as undifferentiated‐type. The center of the lesion was defined as the evaluation point and was initially evaluated by WLE, then by M‐NBI, and a biopsy specimen was taken as a reference standard. The primary and key secondary endpoints were overall diagnostic accuracy and specificity, respectively. Results In total, 167 lesions (122 differentiated‐type and 45 undifferentiated‐type EGCs) in 167 patients were analyzed. The overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio of WLE for undifferentiated‐type cancer were 80%, 69%, 84%, and 4.4, respectively, and those of M‐NBI were 82%, 53%, 93%, and 7.2, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall accuracy (p = 0.755), but specificity was significantly higher in M‐NBI (p = 0.041). Conclusions The use of M‐NBI did not improve the accuracy of WLE for the diagnosis of depressed/flat undifferentiated‐type EGCs but improved the specificity. It may reduce surgical overtreatment by preventing misdiagnosis of differentiated‐type EGC as undifferentiated‐type.

Commercial inoculants are often used to inoculate field-grown soybean in Europe. However, nodulation efficiencies in these areas are often low. To enhance biological nitrogen (N) fixation and increase domestic legume production, indigenous strains that are adapted to local conditions could be used to develop more effective inoculants. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of locally isolated Bradyrhizobium strains to enhance soybean productivity in different growing conditions of Northeast Germany. Three indigenous Bradyrhizobium isolates (GMF14, GMM36, and GEM96) were tested in combination with different soybean cultivars of different maturity groups and quality characteristics in one field trial and two greenhouse studies. The results showed a highly significant strain × cultivar interactions on nodulation response. Independent of the Bradyrhizobium strain, inoculated plants in the greenhouse showed higher nodulation, which corresponded with an increased N uptake than that in field conditions. There were significantly higher nodule numbers and nodule dry weights following GMF14 and GMM36 inoculation in well-watered soil, but only minor differences under drought conditions. Inoculation of the soybean cultivar Merlin with the strain GEM96 enhanced nodulation but did not correspond to an increased grain yield under field conditions. USDA110 was consistent in improving the grain yield of soybean cultivars Sultana and Siroca. On the other hand, GMM36 inoculation to Sultana and GEM96 inoculation to Siroca resulted in similar yields. Our results demonstrate that inoculation of locally adapted soybean cultivars with the indigenous isolates improves nodulation and yield attributes. Thus, to attain optimal symbiotic performance, the strains need to be matched with specific cultivars.

The aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films were deposited with a star-shaped plasma using a high-density radio frequency (RF) magnetized sputtering source to develop well-consistent target utilization. The deposited AZO film characteristics were investigated using stationary and rotational modes with a velocity of 40 rpm, Ar pressure of 1.0 Pa, and RF power of 40 W with a deposition time of 1.0 h. The deposition rate profile of stationary mode with a roughness of ±30.18% was more fluctuating than that of rotational mode with a roughness of ±10.90%. The lowest electrical resistivities of the AZO films were obtained as 3.8 × 10−4 and 3.6 × 10−4 Ω cm at r = 0 mm for the stationary and rotational modes, respectively. According to the AFM and SEM results, the surface profile of the rotational mode grown AZO film was more uniform and smoother than that of the stationary mode. The intensity of x-ray diffraction peaks (002) of the grown AZO film was decreased from the center to the edge of the vessel. Most of the films showed two broad Raman peaks at about 274 and 575 cm−1, representing additional mode and longitudinal optical phonons of the wurtzite ZnO crystal. All the AZO films showed a high transmittance in the visible range, and the average transmittance of the AZO films in the visible range was ∼84%.

Biofertilizers are agricultural materials capable of reducing the usage amounts of chemical fertilizers. Spore-forming microorganisms (SFM) could be used for plant growth promotion or to improve plant health. Until now, biofertilizers based on SFM have been applied for rice and other crops. In this study, we isolated and characterized SFM, which were colonized on the Oryza sativa L. roots. SFM were analyzed regarding the short-term effects of biofertilization on the nursery growths. Analysis was performed without nitrogen or any inorganic fertilizer and was divided into two groups, including bacteria and fungi. SF-bacteria were dominated by the Firmicutes group, including species from Viridibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Solibacillus, Paenibacillus, Priestia, and mainly Bacillus (50%). The fungi group was classified as Mucoromycota, Basidiomycota, and mainly Ascomycota (80%), with a predominance of Penicillium and Trichoderma species. In plant performance in comparison with B. pumilus TUAT1, some bacteria and fungus isolates significantly improved the early growth of rice, based on 48 h inoculum with 107 CFU mL−1. Furthermore, several SFM showed positive physiological responses under abiotic stress or with limited nutrients such as phosphorous (P). Moreover, the metabolic fingerprint was obtained. The biofertilizer based on SFM could significantly reduce the application of the inorganic fertilizer and improve the lodging resistances of rice, interactively enhancing better plant health and crop production.

The improvement of phosphorus (P) use efficiency (PUE) is a critical problem in crop production because of phosphorus’ scarcity. Especially in strongly weathered soil with a high P fixation capacity, a low PUE generally limits plant growth. Here, in a 70-day pigeon pea cultivation pot experiment using Ultisols, we evaluated the effects of Rhizobium inoculation (−I/+I) on the plant growth, rhizosphere, bulk soil P dynamics, and plant root P acquisition characteristics, with or without P fertilization (0P: no P application; 50SSP:50 kg P ha−1 with single superphosphate). The combination of Rhizobium inoculation with P fertilization (50SSP + I) increased the plant growth, P uptake, and organic acid content per pot by 63%, 41%, and 130%, respectively, but not without P fertilization (0P + I). The labile and moderately labile inorganic P (NaHCO3-Pi and NaOH-Pi) contents were higher (55% and 44%, respectively) in the rhizosphere soil than those in the bulk soil in the 50SSP + I treatment, indicating the efficient solubilization of the applied P under the 50SSP + I treatment. The fertilized PUE was higher in the 50SSP + I treatment (26%) than that in the 50SSP−I treatment (15%). Thus, these results suggest that Rhizobium inoculation with 50SSP should stimulate plant root P acquisition characteristics, leading to the solubilization of applied P in the rhizosphere and efficient plant P uptake. In conclusion, the 50SSP + I treatment effectively improved the PUE of pigeon peas in strongly weathered soil.

Genetic and physiological characterization of bacteria derived from nodules of leguminous plants in the exploration of biofertilizer is of paramount importance from agricultural and environmental perspectives. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of 84 isolates derived from Bangladeshi soils revealed an unpredictably diverse array of nodule-forming and endosymbiotic bacteria—mostly belonging to the genus Bradyrhizobium. A sequence analysis of the symbiotic genes (nifH and nodD1) revealed similarities with the 16S rRNA gene tree, with few discrepancies. A phylogenetic analysis of the partial rrn operon (16S-ITS-23S) and multi-locus sequence analysis of atpD, glnII, and gyrB identified that the Bradyrhizobium isolates belonged to Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, Bradyrhizobium elkanii, Bradyrhizobium liaoningense and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense species. In the pot experiment, several isolates showed better activity than B. diazoefficiens USDA110, and the Bho-P2-B2-S1-51 isolate of B. liaoningense showed significantly higher acetylene reduction activity in both Glycine max cv. Enrei and Binasoybean-3 varieties and biomass production increased by 9% in the Binasoybean-3 variety. Tha-P2-B1-S1-68 isolate of B. diazoefficiens significantly enhanced shoot length and induced 10% biomass production in Binasoybean-3. These isolates grew at 1–4% NaCl concentration and pH 4.5–10 and survived at 45 °C, making the isolates potential candidates for eco-friendly soybean biofertilizers in salty and tropical regions.

L-Canavanine, a conditionally essential non-proteinogenic amino acid analog to L-arginine, plays important roles in cell division, wound healing, immune function, the release of hormones, and a precursor for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). In this report, we found that the L-canavanine is released into the soil from the roots of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and declines several weeks after growth, while it was absent in bulk proxy. Hairy vetch root was able to exudate L-canavanine in both pots and in vitro conditions in an agar-based medium. The content of the L-canavanine in pots and agar conditions was higher than the field condition. It was also observed that the addition of L-canavanine significantly altered the microbial community composition and diversity in soil. Firmicutes and Actinobacteria became more abundant in the soil after the application of L-canavanine. In contrast, Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria populations were decreased by higher L-canavanine concentration (500 nmol/g soil). Prediction of the soil metabolic pathways using PICRUSt2 estimated that the L-arginine degradation pathway was enriched 1.3-fold when L-canavanine was added to the soil. Results indicated that carbon metabolism-related pathways were altered and the degradation of nitrogen-rich compounds (i.e., amino acids) enriched. The findings of this research showed that secretion of the allelochemical L-canavanine from the root of hairy vetch may alter the soil microbial community and soil metabolite pathways to increase the survival chance of hairy vetch seedlings. This is the first report that L-canavanine acts as an allelochemical that affects the biodiversity of soil microbial community.