DaylilyNet: A Multi-Task Learning Method for Daylily Leaf Disease Detection.

Timely detection and management of daylily diseases are crucial to prevent yield reduction. However, detection models often struggle with handling the interference of complex backgrounds, leading to low accuracy, especially in detecting small targets. To address this problem, we propose DaylilyNet, an object detection algorithm that uses multi-task learning to optimize the detection process. By incorporating a semantic segmentation loss function, the model focuses its attention on diseased leaf regions, while a spatial global feature extractor enhances interactions between leaf and background areas. Additionally, a feature alignment module improves localization accuracy by mitigating feature misalignment. To investigate the impact of information loss on model detection performance, we created two datasets. One dataset, referred to as the 'sliding window dataset', was obtained by splitting the original-resolution images using a sliding window. The other dataset, known as the 'non-sliding window dataset', was obtained by downsampling the images. Experimental results in the 'sliding window dataset' and the 'non-sliding window dataset' demonstrate that DaylilyNet outperforms YOLOv5-L in mAP@0.5 by 5.2% and 4.0%, while reducing parameters and time cost. Compared to other models, our model maintains an advantage even in scenarios where there is missing information in the training dataset.

Correction to: Nitrogen application and different water regimes at booting stage improved yield and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) formation in fragrant rice.

It was highlighted that the original article (Mo et al. 2019) contained an error in Fig. 1f which revealed the biosynthesis pathway of 2AP. This Correction article shows the correct Fig. 1 and incorrect Fig. 1. The original article has been updated.

Nitrogen application and different water regimes at booting stage improved yield and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) formation in fragrant rice.

BACKGROUND: Water (W) and nitrogen (N) management generally cause regulations in the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) accumulation in fragrant rice; nevertheless, the feasibility of such management strategies at booting stage in improving 2AP accumulation has not been examined in details. METHODS: Field experiments were conducted in the early season (March-July) and repeated in the late season (July-November) in 2013. The treatments were applied urea (90 kg ha- 1), calcium super phosphate (90 kg ha- 1) and potassium chloride (195 kg ha- 1) as basal fertilizer, and urea (65 kg ha- 1) at tillering stage. Three N levels i.e., 0 kg N ha- 1 (N1), 30 kg N ha- 1 (N2), and 60 kg N ha- 1 (N3) and three water levels i.e., W1 treatment (well-watered treatment with water layer of 2-4 cm), W2 treatment (soil water potential was - 15 ± 5 kPa), and W3 treatment (soil water potential was - 25 ± 5 kPa) at booting stage was set up for three rice varieties i.e., Nongxiang 18, Yungengyou 14 and Basmati. The grain yield, head milled rice yield, 2AP contents and the biochemical parameters related to 2AP formation were investigated. RESULTS: Result indicated that W and N dynamics regulated the grain yield, head milled rice yield, and 2AP contents in brown rice across three varieties. The N2 and N3 treatment significantly increased the 2AP contents in brown rice by 9.54% and 11.95%, and 8.88% and 32.54% in the early and the late season, respectively; improved grain yield and head milled rice yield. The W3 treatment improved grain yield, head milled rice yield and 2AP content. Significant W and N interaction effect on 2AP content in brown rice was detected, where the W3 N3 treatment showed the strongest interaction regarding improvement of 2AP contents in brown rice. The 2AP accumulation and its related biochemical parameters and their relationships in different plant tissues at different growth stages under W and N treatments had also been assessed. The 2AP content, P5C content and DAO activity during grain filling periods was highly related to the 2AP content in brown rice. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the 60 kg N ha- 1 coupled with - 25 ± 5 kPa treatment showed the best positive effects on yield and aroma in fragrant rice, suggested that water and nitrogen management at booting stage can improve grain yield and fragrance in fragrant rice. However, further study to evaluate the metabolic and molecular basis of 2AP accumulation in fragrant rice is needed.

Effects of natural ingredients on the shelf life of chicken seasoning.

The effects of the natural ingredients Angelica sinensis (AS) and Codonopsis pilosula (CP) on the shelf life of chicken seasoning were investigated. Color differences and sensory evaluation were used to indicate sensory differences. Changes in volatiles were monitored. The rate of increase in the color value a* of the AS and CP samples was lower than that in the control. Rancid flavor appeared later in the AS and CP samples than in the control. The levels of aldehydes, ketones, and alkenes increased during storage. A kinetic model was built based on the proportion of aldehydes (main marker), to predict shelf life. The predicted shelf life at room temperature was 60 days for the control, 114 days for AS, and 89 days for CP. The shelf life of chicken seasoning could be prolonged with AS and CP. This kinetic model can be used to predict the shelf life of chicken seasoning.

Assessment of main factor causing sensory quality defects in chicken seasoning during storage.

BACKGROUND: Chicken seasoning is a widely consumed palatable seasoning made with chicken meat. Quality, and especially sensory quality, may determine the consumer choice of food. The same bag of chicken seasoning will be stored by the consumers over a long period of time when it is in use, so it is particularly important to be able to assess its sensory quality. However, the sensory quality defects of chicken seasoning during storage remain unknown. This study evaluated flavor changes in chicken seasoning during storage using sensory evaluation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). RESULTS: The sensory evaluation indicated a perceptible change in rancidity during storage. The GC-MS results showed increases in the content of aldehydes, heterocyclic compounds, ketones, and sulfur compounds associated with lipid oxidation. A random forest model was constructed to predict the storage time based on the data for volatile compounds related to lipid oxidation. The low average predicted error indicated a good correlation between lipid oxidation and storage time. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lipid oxidation is the main factor behind sensory quality defects in chicken seasoning during storage. This can be used as the basis for further evaluation of sensory quality and the shelf life of chicken seasoning. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Supplementation of 2-Ap, Zn and La Improves 2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline Concentrations in Detached Aromatic Rice Panicles In Vitro.

Aromatic rice is highly prized by consumers worldwide due to its special aromatic character. 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is considered to be the single most important volatile compound responsible for aroma in aromatic rice. The present study demonstrated the effects of 2-AP, zinc (Zn) and lanthanum (La) on the 2-AP concentration of detached aromatic rice panicles in vitro. Detached panicles from three well-known aromatic cultivars, Guixiangzhan, Pin14, and Pin 15, were cultured separately in basic culture medium supplemented with 2-AP, Zn and La, and 2-AP concentrations were assessed at 7 and 14 days after culture (DAC). The results show that supplementation of 2-AP, Zn and La in the basic culture medium significantly increases the accumulation of proline. 2-AP concentration and the activity of proline dehydrogenase (ProDH) were also increased in rice grains. Zn concentrations were also found to be higher when Zn was added to the basic culture medium, and La concentrations in grains were too low to be measured. Additionally, grain 2-AP concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with proline concentrations, ProDH activities in grains and 2-AP in culture medium. In summary, higher grain 2-AP concentrations might be due to Zn- and La-induced increases in proline concentrations and ProDH activities, as well as the direct uptake and transportation of 2-AP from the culture medium. Furthermore, application of both Zn and La might be helpful for improving aroma formation in rice. However, interactions of both these elements with the complex process of 2-AP formation remain to be explored.

[Comparative study on effects of puerarin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in treating acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of puerarin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in treating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and on the size of infarcted area and cytokines. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with anterior AMI were randomly divided into three groups, they were treated with conventional Western medical treatment, but to the puerarin group (PG) and the G-CSF group (GCG) puerarin and G-CSF was given additionally, respectively. The infarcted size, plasma G-CSF, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were detected before and after treatment. RESULTS: The infarcted size was positively correlated to the levels of G-CSF, MMP-9, IL-6 and TNF-alpha before treatment ( r = 0.45, 0.42, 0.44 and 0.42, P<0.01 ). The infarcted size in the PG and the GCG decreased on the 28th day (P<0.01), the level of G-CSF, MMP-9, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the PG on the 7th day all decreased (P<0.05), but these indexes in the GCG increased (P<0.05), while those in the control group were unchanged (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Puerarin and G-CSF are effective in decreasing infarcted size, but their effects on cytokines are different entirely.

[Effects of carvedilol on neurohormone and magnesium metabolism in patients with chronic heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of carvedilol on neurohormone and magnesium metabolism in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with CHF were divided into two groups randomly: received conventional treatment alone or combined with carvedilol for 8 weeks, respectively. Urine magnesium excretion (UME), plasma levels of magnesium (PMC), norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin-II (Ang-II), aldosterone (ALD), plasma renin activity (PRA) and peripheral monocyte magnesium content (MMC) were measured before and after treatments. Twenty-six health persons were selected as normal subjects. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in UME and plasma concentrations of NE, ALD, Ang-II and PRA, and a significant decrease in MMC in patients with CHF, compared with the control group (P < 0.01). UME was positively correlated with ALD, Ang-II, PRA r = 0.41, 0.42, 0.38, respectively (P < 0.01). These parameters significantly improved after carvedilol (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Carvedilol decreases significantly plasma concentrations of neurohormone and urine magnesium excretion, and increases cell magnesium content in patients with CHF.

[Study on the effect and mechanism of puerarin on the size of infarction in patients with acute myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of puerarin on infarction size, fatty acids metabolism, inflammatory response and atherosclerotic plaque stability in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with AMI were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (n = 30) and the treated group (n = 31). All were treated with conventional treatment, but to the treated group, puerarin injection was given additionally by injecting 500 mg per day for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, blood levels of free fatty acids (FFA), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed, and the size of infarction was determined by Ideker QRS scoring method. RESULTS: Before treatment, the size of infarction was positively correlated to the levels of FFA, MMP-9 and CRP (r = 0.43, 0.42 and 0.39, respectively, all P<0.01). As compared with those before treatment, after treatment, the three parameters lowered by 30%, 41% and 23%, respectively and the size of infarction significantly reduced in the treated group (P<0.01), while in the control group, no significant change was found (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Puerarin treatment could significantly reduce the size of infarction in patients with AMI, the mechanism is possibly related with its effects in lowering plasma levels of FFA, inhibiting inflammation and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaque.