Academic Performance and Behavioral Patterns

Identifying the factors that influence academic performance is an essential part of educational research. Previous studies have documented the importance of personality traits, class attendance, and social network structure. Because most of these analyses were based on a single behavioral aspect and/or small sample sizes, there is currently no quantification of the interplay of these factors. Here, we study the academic performance among a cohort of 538 undergraduate students forming a single, densely connected social network. Our work is based on data collected using smartphones, which the students used as their primary phones for two years. The availability of multi-channel data from a single population allows us to directly compare the explanatory power of individual and social characteristics. We find that the most informative indicators of performance are based on social ties and that network indicators result in better model performance than individual characteristics (including both personality and class attendance). We confirm earlier findings that class attendance is the most important predictor among individual characteristics. Finally, our results suggest the presence of strong homophily and/or peer effects among university students

Screening of Chilli Pepper Genotypes as a Source of Capsaicinoids and Antioxidants under Conditions of Simulated Drought Stress

In many regions of the world, the production of vegetable crops is limited by a deepening water crisis. Drought stress aects productivity and the chemical composition of crops. The variability of drought tolerance between species and cultivars of economically important crops, such as pepper (Capsicum species), requires specific investigations to understand the physiological and biochemical responses to the aftermath of drought. The fruits and leaves of four chilli pepper cultivars were investigated to elucidate the fruits’ pungency (Scoville Heat Units, SHU), ascorbic acid content, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, polyphenol content, membrane lipid peroxidation and key protective antioxidant enzyme activity under drought stress (18–28% volumetric water content) as compared to the control (35–60%). Drought increased the chilli pepper fruits’ pungency expressed in Scoville Heat Units (SHU) as well as ascorbic acid content, but this relationship was also dependent on genotype and stress duration. ‘Jolokia’ was marked as most sensitive to drought by increasing content of capsaicinoids and DPPH scavenging activity under stress conditions. Capsaicinoids and Ascorbic acid (AsA) greatly influenced the antioxidant activity of highly pungent chilli pepper fruits, although total phenols played a significant role in the mildly pungent genotypes. Generally, the activities of antioxidant enzymes increased under drought in chilli pepper leaves and fruits, although the intensity of the reaction varied among the cultivars used in the current research. All the investigated biochemical parameters were involved in the drought response of chilli pepper plants, but their significance and eectiveness were highly cultivar-dependent

Microalgae in agricultural crop production – Review

Microalgae attract scientific interest due to their high potential as ecofriendly biostimulants, biofertilizers and bioprotectants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Literature reports reveal the positive effects of microalgae application to crop systems in improving plant nutrient uptake and tolerance to stress However, high variability of their effects on plants, depending on the method of formulation preparation, genetic variability of species and cultivars, crop phenological phase when they are applied, dose of application, and strain used. The outcomes of the present review demonstrated the high benefits of microalgae application to improve plant tollerence to oxidantive stress, yield and nutritional quality of the product. To optimise the beneficial effect of microalgae in crop production, further research is necessary aimed to reveal molecular and physiological aspects of their utilization

Nutritional Value of Apiaceae Seeds as Affected by 11 Species and 43 Cultivars

The fragmentary literature data on Apiaceae seed antioxidant potential elicited a comparative evaluation work of seed biochemical profile between 11 species and 43 cultivars grown in similar conditions: anise, lovage, fennel, coriander, caraway, parsley, celery, dill, carrot, parsnip and chervil. Among the different solvents, temperature and duration regimes applied, 70% EtOH, 80 C and 1 h running showed the best extraction efficiency of antioxidants. Total antioxidant activity (AOA) decreased as follows: lovage > anise > parsley > celery > fennel = dill > coriander > caraway > parsnip > carrot > chervil. Lovage, anise and fennel demonstrated the highest levels of total phenolics (TP), AOA and potassium. A positive correlation was recorded between total dissolved solids (TDS) and K and between AOA and TP content (r = 0.86 and r = 0.79 respectively, at p < 0.001). Varietal differences in AOA and TP levels were much lower than those relevant to TDS, K and water soluble protein (WSP), while the highest differences were found for selenium (Se). Two parsley cultivars showed anomalously high Se content and four dill cultivars unusually high levels of TDS and potassium. A positive correlation arose between Se and WSP levels in parsley seeds (r = 0.85 at p < 0.05)

Joint Cultivation of Allium ursinum and Armoracia rusticana under Foliar Sodium Selenate Supply.

Despite the high value of ramson (Allium ursinum) in medicine and nutrition, it is not cultivated in open fields due to the need for shading as well as weeding during the early crop stages. Research was carried out in an open field with the aim to improve A. ursinum growth, through its intercropping with Armoracia rusticana (horseradish). In the latter context, with and without sodium selenate application, ramson and horseradish showed reciprocal growth stimulation, as ramson biomass increased by 1.28 times and horseradish root biomass by 1.7 times. The biofortification level of horseradish roots increased from 5.9 to 9.6 times due to joint plant growth under selenium (Se) supply. The opposite phenomenon was recorded for ramson leaves, as the biofortification level decreased from 11.7 in the case of Se supplementation to 6.7 in plants supplied with sodium selenate when jointly cultivated with horseradish. Among the tested antioxidants, the highest increase due to joint cultivation and/or Se supply was recorded for ascorbic acid by 1.69 times in ramson leaves and 1.48 and 1.37 times in horseradish roots and leaves, respectively. All treatments significantly increased the total antioxidant activity (AOA) of horseradish leaves (by 1.33–1.49 times) but not roots. Comparison of the results obtained in field conditions with those obtained earlier for the Se biofortification of ramson in the natural habitat (forest) revealed significantly higher levels of the plant’s antioxidant status under environmental stress (field) and a decrease in the correspondent differences as a consequence of Se biofortification. The estimation of allelopathic beneficial interaction between ramson and horseradish implies the efficiency of ramson growth and production of functional food with high levels of Se (Se–ramson leaves and Se–horseradish roots)

MeV <SUP>4</SUP>He<SUP>2+</SUP>-irradiation induced effects in CuO

Sintered CuO pellets were irradiated at room temperature with 5-32 MeV &#945;-particles. The room temperature resistivity of the irradiated samples showed about two orders of magnitude reduction compared to virgin CuO. This has been attributed to the loss of oxygen and in particular in the case of high dose (3.3 &#215; 10<SUP>17</SUP> &#945; /cm<SUP>2</SUP>) irradiation to a partial transformation of CuO to Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O, which has a resistivity of the order of what has been observed for the irradiated samples. The transformation of CuO to Cu<SUB>2</SUB>O has been identified by X-ray diffraction measurements. The possible mechanisms for the oxygen loss are discussed

Yield and bulb quality of storage onion cultivars as affected by farming system and nitrogen dose

The need of sustainable management system is connected both to environmental safeguarding and to the increasing consumers’ demand for safety and premium-quality food. A research was carried out to assess the interactions between 2 farming systems (organic, conventional), 4 nitrogen doses (100, 133, 166.5, 200 kg•ha− 1 N) and 11 cultivars on yield, quality, antioxidants, elemental composition and heavy metals content of storage onion bulbs. The bulb yield of six out of eleven cultivars was significantly greater in the conventional farming than in the organic one, with Ramata di Montoro and Rossa di Tropea showing the best performances, even in terms of plant dry weight, under both farming systems; Tosca reached the highest leaf area index. The con ventional farming system also led to higher bulb yield, dry weight, nitrate content and ascorbic acid compared to the organic one for most cultivars, whereas quercetin was better affected by the organic management. The 166.5 and 200 kg•ha− 1 N doses resulted in the highest yield as well as Leaf Area Index (LAI), and 200 kg•ha− 1 N also enhanced dry weight, nitrate content and ascorbic acid. The 100 kg•ha− 1 N supply elicited the highest bulb storability, whereas 166.5 kg•ha− 1 N led to the highest bulb dry matter, soluble solids, total sugars, macroele ments and most microelements. The 133 kg•ha− 1 N dose resulted in the highest monosaccharides, titratable acidity, quercetin, polyphenols, and Antioxidant Activity (AOA). The cultivar Ramata di Montoro showed the highest values of soluble solids, total sugars, monosaccharides and pungency. The cultivar Rosies des Aries displayed the lowest bulb storability, along with Rossa di Tropea, and the highest dry matter together with Grenada, Tosca and Zolotnichek. Polanowska attained the highest levels of antioxidants, AOA and macroele ments. The highest bulb accumulation of microelements and heavy metals differed with the cultivar, though Ramata di Montoro showed the lowest accumulation of most heavy metals. Based on the outcome of the present research, the conventional farming system is recommendable in terms of yield, for the 55% of the storage onion cultivars examined, whereas the organic management improves the overall bulb quality, and the 166.5 kg•ha− 1 N represents the most effective dose for achieving the best compromise between yield and quality

Effects of Plant Biostimulation Time Span and Soil Electrical Conductivity on Greenhouse Tomato ‘Miniplum’ Yield and Quality in Diverse Crop Seasons

Biostimulants help plants cope with environmental stresses and improve vegetable yield and quality. This study was conducted to determine the protein hydrolysate (PH) effect of three different durations (weekly applications: three, six, or nine times plus an untreated control) in factorial combination with four soil electrical conductivities (EC: 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, or 6.0 mS·cm−1) on yield, fruit quality, and elemental composition of tomato ‘miniplum’ grown in a greenhouse. Fruit yield was best affected, during the summer, by six and nine biostimulant applications at EC 3.0 mS·cm−1, and in the same season, the six treatments led to the highest fruit number with no difference compared to nine applications; during the winter, the three and six treatments improved the mentioned variables at each EC level. Fruits’ dry residue and Brixo were positively affected by biostimulation both in summer and winter. In summer, the 6.0 mS·cm−1 EC led to the highest dry residue and Brixo values, though the latter did not show any significant difference compared to 4.5 mS·cm−1; in winter, the best results corresponded to 4.5 and 6.0 mS·cm−1. A higher beneficial effect of PH on fruit antioxidant status, i.e., lycopene, polyphenols, ascorbic acid levels, and lipophilic (LAA) and hydrophilic (HAA) activity, was recorded in winter compared with summer. Positive correlations between polyphenols and LAA, as well as ascorbic acid content and HAA were found for all EC and PH treatments. Most of the mineral elements tested demonstrated concentration stability, whereas the highest EC decreased P, Mg, Cu, and Se accumulation. The opposite effect was shown by PH application on Se and Mn levels, with P tending to increase. The concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Cu were the lowest under the longest duration of PH supply. These results further confirm the essential role of plant biostimulation in enhancing tomato yield and quality, with a particular focus on the treatment duration

Industrial Processing Affects Product Yield and Quality of Diced Tomato

The tomato industry has been searching for new genotypes with improved fruit production, both in the field and industrially processed, together with high-quality performance under sustainable management conditions. This research was carried out in Southern Italy with the aim of assessing the effects of industrial processing on the yield and quality of four tomato hybrids grown according to organic farming methods and addressed at dicing. MAX 14111 and HMX 4228 showed the highest values of field and processing yield as well as reduced sugars and fructose. MAX 14111 had the highest values of total solids and soluble solids, titratable acidity, fiber, energetic value, polyphenols, and also rutin, though not significantly different from Impact. HMX 4228 performed best in terms of sugar ratio, color and naringenin. Concerning the diced products, the sensorial qualities of the four hybrids differed significantly. Total polyphenols, naringenin and rutin in the tomato fruits were higher in the processed than in the raw product. The appreciable fruit yield and quality resulting from both field and processing phase represent a promising perspective for identifying improved tomato genotypes addressed at dicin

Estimating the similarity of community detection methods based on cluster size distribution

International audienceDetecting community structure discloses tremendous information about complex networks and unlock promising applied perspectives. Accordingly, a numerous number of community detection methods have been proposed in the last two decades with many rewarding discoveries. Notwithstanding, it is still very challenging to determine a suitable method in order to get more insights into the mesoscopic structure of a network given an expected quality, especially on large scale networks. Many recent efforts have also been devoted to investigating various qualities of community structure associated with detection methods, but the answer to this question is still very far from being straightforward. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to estimate the similarity between community detection methods using the size density distributions of communities that they detect. We verify our solution on a very large corpus of networks consisting in more than a hundred networks of five different categories and deliver pairwise similarities of 16 state-of-the-art and well-known methods. Interestingly, our result shows that there is a very clear distinction between the partitioning strategies of different community detection methods. This distinction plays an important role in assisting network analysts to identify their rule-of-thumb solutions