Heterogeneous population distribution enhances resistance to wheat lodging by optimizing the light environment

Lodging is still the key factor that limits continuous increases in wheat yields today,because the mechanical strength of culms is reduced due to low-light stress in populations under high-yield cultivation.The mechanical properties of the culm are mainly determined by lignin,which is affected by the light environment.However,little is known about whether the light environment can be sufficiently improved by changing the population distribution to inhibit culm lodging.Therefore,in this study,we used the wheat cultivar“Xinong 979”to establish a low-density homogeneous distribution treatment(LD),high-density homogeneous distribution treatment(HD),and high-density heterogeneous distribution treatment(HD-h)to study the regulatory effects and mechanism responsible for differences in the lodging resistance of wheat culms under different population distributions.Compared with LD,HD significantly reduced the light transmittance in the middle and basal layers of the canopy,the net photosynthetic rate in the middle and lower leaves of plants,the accumulation of lignin in the culm,and the breaking resistance of the culm,and thus the lodging index values increased significantly,with lodging rates of 67.5%in 2020–2021 and 59.3%in 2021–2022.Under HD-h,the light transmittance and other indicators in the middle and basal canopy layers were significantly higher than those under HD,and the lodging index decreased to the point that no lodging occurred.Compared with LD,the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-Lyase(PAL),4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase(4CL),catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT),and cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase(CAD)in the lignin synthesis pathway were significantly reduced in the culms under HD during the critical period for culm formation,and the relative expression levels of TaPAL,Ta4CL,TaCOMT,and TaCAD were significantly downregulated.However,the activities of lignin synthesis-related enzymes and their gene expression levels were significantly increased under HD-h compared with HD.A partial least squares path modeling analysis found significant positive effects between the canopy light environment,the photosynthetic capacity of the middle and lower leaves of plants,lignin synthesis and accumulation,and lodging resistance in the culms.Thus,under conventional high-density planting,the risk of wheat lodging was significantly higher.Accordingly,the canopy light environment can be optimized by changing the heterogeneity of the population distribution to improve the photosynthetic capacity of the middle and lower leaves of plants,promote lignin accumulation in the culm,and enhance lodging resistance in wheat.These findings provide a basis for understanding the mechanism responsible for the lower mechanical strength of the culm under high-yield wheat cultivation,and a theoretical basis and for developing technical measures to enhance lodging resistance.

An Enhanced Multiview Transformer for Population Density Estimation Using Cellular Mobility Data in Smart City

This paper addresses the problem of predicting population density leveraging cellular station data.As wireless communication devices are commonly used,cellular station data has become integral for estimating population figures and studying their movement,thereby implying significant contributions to urban planning.However,existing research grapples with issues pertinent to preprocessing base station data and the modeling of population prediction.To address this,we propose methodologies for preprocessing cellular station data to eliminate any irregular or redundant data.The preprocessing reveals a distinct cyclical characteristic and high-frequency variation in population shift.Further,we devise a multi-view enhancement model grounded on the Transformer(MVformer),targeting the improvement of the accuracy of extended time-series population predictions.Comparative experiments,conducted on the above-mentioned population dataset using four alternate Transformer-based models,indicate that our proposedMVformer model enhances prediction accuracy by approximately 30%for both univariate and multivariate time-series prediction assignments.The performance of this model in tasks pertaining to population prediction exhibits commendable results.

Effects of mepiquat chloride and plant population density on leaf photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in upland cotton

Background Mepiquat chloride(MC)application and plant population density(PPD)increasing are required for modern cotton production.However,their interactive effects on leaf physiology and carbohydrate metabolism remain obscure.This study aimed to examine whether and how MC and PPD affect the leaf morpho-physiological characteristics,and thus final cotton yield.PPD of three levels(D1:2.25 plants·m^(-2),D2:4.5 plants·m^(-2),and D3:6.75 plants·m^(-2))and MC dosage of two levels(MC0:0 g·ha^(-2),MC1:82.5 g·ha^(-2))were combined to create six treatments.The dynamics of nonstructual carbohydrate concentration,carbon metabolism-related enzyme activity,and photosynthetic attributes in cotton leaves were examined during reproductive growth in 2019 and 2020.Results Among six treatments,the high PPD of 6.75 plants·m^(-2)combined with MC application(MC1D3)exhibited the greatest seed cotton yield and biological yield.The sucrose,hexose,starch,and total nonstructural carbohydrate(TNC)concentrations peaked at the first flowering(FF)stage and then declined to a minimum at the first boll opening(FBO)stage.Compared with other treatments,MC1D3 improved starch and TNC concentration by 5.4%~88.4%,7.8%~52.0% in 2019,and by 14.6%~55.9%,13.5%~39.7% in 2020 at the FF stage,respectively.Additionally,MC1D3 produced higher transformation rates of starch and TNC from the FF to FBO stages,indicating greater carbon production and utilization efficiency.MC1D3 displayed the maximal specific leaf weight(SLW)at the FBO stage,and the highest chlorophyll a(Chl a),Chl b,and Chl a+b concentration at the mid-late growth phase in both years.The Rubisco activity with MC1D3 was 2.6%~53.2% higher at the flowering and boll setting stages in both years,and 2.4%~52.7% higher at the FBO stage in 2020 than those in other treatments.These results provided a explanation of higher leaf senescence-resistant ability in MC1D3.Conclusion Increasing PPD coupled with MC application improves cotton yield by enhancing leaf carbohydrate production and utilization efficiency and delaying leaf senescence.

Multi Location Field Evaluation of BC1F2 Sorghum Populations for Striga Resistance in Niger

In Niger, a landlocked country, sorghum is the second staple food cultivated over the country by smallholder farmer. The crop is important for human and animal consumption. Despite its importance, the crop is affected by biotic and abiotic constraints. Among those constraints, striga has a high impact on yield. In fact, to survive, farmers are growing their local preferred sorghum varieties wish is highly sensible to the weed. Striga management is a challenge that requires a permanent solution. In addition, the development of high-yielding Striga resistant genotypes will be appreciated by farmers. The development of striga resistance will be based on the breeding population performances under farmer’s diverse environmental conditions adaptation. The main objective of this study is to evaluate two breeding populations for striga resistance in two different environments at Boulke and Dibissou in Tahoua region, to identify the early and high-yielding striga tolerant genotypes under natural infestation.

Spatial Agglomeration and Diffusion of Population Based on a Regional Density Function Approach:A Case Study of Shandong Province in China

Population density functions have long been used to describe the spatial structure of regional population distributions.Several studies have been conducted to examine the population distribution in Shandong Province,China,but few have applied regional density functions to the analysis.Therefore,based on the 2000,2010,and 2020 population censuses,this study used monocentric and polycentric regional density functions to study the characteristics of population agglomeration and diffusion in Shandong.This is followed by an in-depth discussion based on population growth rate data and hot-and cold-spot analyses.The results showed that the Shandong Province population was spatially unevenly distributed.Population growth rates were higher in urban centers and counties,with more significant changes in population size in the eastern coastal areas than in the inland areas.As verified in this study,the logarithmic form of the single-center regional density function R2 was greater than 0.8,which was in line with the population spatial structure of Shandong Province.During the study period,the estimated population density of the regional center and the absolute value of the regional population density gradient both increased,indicating a clear and increasing trend of centripetal agglomeration of regional centers over the study period.Overall,the R2 value of the multicenter region density function was higher than that of the single-center region density function.The polycentric regional density function showed that the population density gradient of some centers had a downward trend,which reflected the spatial development trend of outward diffusion in these centers.Meanwhile,the variation in the estimated population density and the population density gradient exhibited differences in the central population distribution patterns at different levels.

Long-term monitoring data reveal effects of age,population density,and environmental aspects on hatching success of Common Cranes(Grus grus)

Facing climate and land use change,a species’ability to successfully adapt to changing environments is crucial for its survival.Extensive drainage and intensification of agriculture and forestry set wetlands and associated species at risk of population declines.The population of Common Cranes(Grus grus)has experienced considerable fluctuations over the last century.Despite increasing population numbers,hatching success seemed to have decreased over the last years.The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing hatching success and nest survival of Common Cranes based on analyses of long-term individual-based monitoring data from northeastern Germany and evaluate the species ability to adapt to changing environments.Hatching success decreased over the course of the study period from 0.75 to 0.55.Surprisingly,nest survival and hatching success did not vary across different nesting habitats,whereas factors such as female age,timing of nest initiation and breeding pair density were found to have significant effects on hatching success.Older females showed higher hatching success,even though the proportion of unhatched eggs was highest in females aged 20 years or older.Early nest initiation had a positive effect on hatching success.Water levels are more favorable early in the nesting season,whereas increasing evaporation with time causes water levels to decrease,granting easier access for predators.Independently of female age,hatching success decreased with increasing numbers of breeding pairs within a 2-km radius around a nesting site.High population densities intensify competition for resources and promote intraspecific interactions,affecting reproductive outcome negatively.This study gives first insights into mechanisms behind population regulation in Common Cranes,highlighting the importance of population dynamics and individual features.We suggest to further investigate density dependent effects including landscape and habitat features as well as reproductive success in terms of chick survival,since successfully raising juveniles is crucial for a species survival.

Designing an Elderly-Friendly City in Cardiff: Cultivating Sense of Security for the Aging Population: Transforming Butetown for the Entertainment, Health, and Diversification of the Elderly

As an important part of urban construction,elderly-friendly construction is crucial to the formation of an elderly-friendly society,which has been widely recognized internationally.Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic,various organizations around the world have called for changes in public space and urban building planning,with an emphasis on the accessibility of green spaces.This underscores the complexity and difficulty of integrating vulnerable groups of the elderly into cities and using infrastructure and public space.

Home range,population density,and habitat utilization of the Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans)

We assessed habitat preference and population status of the Sichuan Jay (Perisoreus internigrans),a poorly known Chinese endemic bird,at two sites (Zhuoni and Jiuzhaigou) in the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau between 2001 and 2004.Mean group size was 3.8 jays.Each group occupied a mean home range of 42.0 ha during the breeding season,and the mean internest distance was 2.7 km.These data indicated that the jays used less than ten percent of the available habitats and occurred at an overall density of only 0.6 jays per km2.Radio-tracked Sichuan Jays had a strong preference for mature montane coniferous forests and avoided areas dominated by shrubs,while the utilization of young conifers,grassland,and human residential habitat types did not differ significantly from the values expected from the home-range availabilities of these habitats generally.

Effects of Plant Density on Yield and Canopy Micro Environment in Hybrid Cotton

A rational plant population is an important attribute to high yield of cotton, because it can provide a beneficial micro environment within the canopy for plant growth and development as well as yield formation. A 2-yr field experiment was conducted to determine the optimal plant density based on cotton yield in relation to the canopy micro environment （canopy temperature, relative humidity and light transmittance）. Six plant densities （1.2-5.7 plants m^-2） were arranged with a completely randomized block design. The highest cotton yield （1 507 kg ha^-1） was obtained at 3.0 plants m^-2 due to more bolls per unit ground area （79 bolls m2）, while the lowest yield （1 091 kg ha1） was obtained at 1.2 plants m^-2. Under the moderate plant density （3.0 plants m^-2）, there was a lower mean daily temperature （MDT, 27. 1℃） attributing to medium daily minimum temperature （Train, 21.9℃） and the lowest daily maximum temperature （Tmax, 35.8℃）, a moderate mean canopy light transmittance of 0.51, and lower mean daily relative humidity （MRH） of 79.7% from June to October. The results suggest that 3.0 plants m^-2 would be the optimal plant density because it provides a better canopy micro environment.

Mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QTL×environment interactions for plant height using a doubled haploid population in cultivated wheat

Quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for plant height in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） were studied using a set of 168 doubled haploid （DH） lines, which were derived from the cross Huapei 3/Yumai 57. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 283 SSR and 22 EST-SSR markers. The DH population and the parents were evaluated for wheat plant height in 2005 and 2006 in Tai＇an and 2006 in Suzhou. QTL analyses were performed using the software of QTLNetwork version 2.0 based on the mixed linear model. Four additive QTLs and five pairs of epistatic effects were detected, which were distributed on chromosomes 3A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 6A, 7B, and 7D. Among them, three additive QTLs and three pairs of epistatic QTLs showed QTL×environment interactions （QEs）. Two major QTLs, Qph4B and Qph4D, which accounted for 14.51% and 20.22% of the phenotypic variation, were located similar to the reported locations of the dwarfing genes Rhtl and Rht2, respectively. The Qph3A-2 with additive effect was not reported in previous linkage mapping studies. The total QTL effects detected for the plant height explained 85.04% of the phenotypic variation, with additive effects 46.07%, epistatic effects 19.89%, and QEs 19.09%. The results showed that both additive effects and epistatic effects were important genetic bases of wheat plant height, which were subjected to environmental modifications, and caused dramatic changes in phenotypic effects. The information obtained in this study will be useful for manipulating the QTLs for wheat plant height by molecular marker-assisted selection （MAS）.

Analyzing Population Density Disparity in China with GIS-automated Regionalization: The Hu Line Revisited

The famous ’Hu Line’, proposed by Hu Huanyong in 1935, divided China into two regions(southeast and northwest) of comparable area size but drastically different in population. However, the classic Hu Line was derived manually in absence of reliable census data and computational technologies of modern days. It has been subject to criticism of lack of scientific rigor and accuracy. This research uses a GIS-automated regionalization method, termed REDCAP(Regionalization with Dynamically Constrained Agglomerative Clustering and Partitioning), to reconstruct the demarcation line based on the 2010 county-level census data in China. The results show that the logarithmic transformation of population density is a better measure of attributive homogeneity in derived regions than density itself, and produces two regions of nearly identical area size and greater contrast in population. Specifically, the revised Hu Line by Hu Huanyong in 1990 had the southeast region with 94.4% of total population and 42.9% of total land, and our delineation line yields a southeast region with 97.4% population and 50.8% land. Therefore, the population density ratio of the two regions is 27.1 by our line, much higher than the ratio of 22.4 by the Hu Line, and thus outperforms the Hu Line in deriving regions of maximum density contrast with comparable area size. Furthermore, more regions are delineated to further advance our understanding of population distribution disparity in China.

Overwintering parasitism is positively associated with population density in diapausing larvae of Chilo suppressalis

The suppression of overwintering population is essential in integrated pest management,but little is known about the biological mortality factors that reduce the overwintering density of Chilo suppressalis.Here,we examine the parasitism of overwintering larvae,and assume that key parasitoids strengthen the over-wintering population suppression.The natural parasitism incidence and related dominant parasitoids in overwintering larvae were investigated in two successive winters,in 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.Parasitism rates were also assessed in larvae collected from 15 different counties in 2016.The results showed that the parasitism incidence and dominant parasitoids in overwintering C.suppressalis larvae were significantly different for different sampling dates and sites.Overwintering larvae of C.suppressalis were mainly parasitized by Cotesia chilonis,and less often by Eriborus sinicus and Microgaster russata.Regression analysis indicated that the natural incidence of parasites in overwintering C.suppressalis larvae was positively correlated with the over-wintering larval density.The current work provides support for overwintering pest management strategies by showing the effectiveness of parasitoid communities as a bio-mortality factor for suppressing overwintering density.

A new approach on seismic mortality estimations based on average population density

This study examines a new methodology to predict the final seismic mortality from earthquakes in China. Most studies established the association between mortality estimation and seismic intensity without considering the population density. In China, however, the data are not always available, especially when it comes to the very urgent relief situation in the disaster. And the popu- lation density varies greatly from region to region. This motivates the development of empirical models that use historical death data to provide the path to analyze the death tolls for earthquakes. The present paper employs the average population density to predict the final death tolls in earthquakes using a case-based reasoning model from realistic perspective. To validate the forecasting results, historical data from 18 large-scale earthquakes occurred in China are used to estimate the seismic morality of each case. And a typical earthquake case occurred in the northwest of Sichuan Province is employed to demonstrate the estimation of final death toll. The strength of this paper is that it provides scientific methods with overall forecast errors lower than 20 %, and opens the door for conducting final death forecasts with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Limitations and future research are also analyzed and discussed in the conclusion.

Socio-economic influences of population density

While population density represents an important socio-economic parameter, its role is rarely studied in the economic literature （contrary to natural sciences）. Population density plays an important role in harvesting societies, i.e. those that depend on agriculture and natural resources. With the development of industry and services and emergence of urban areas, population density becomes less economically important unless we consider aspects related to pollution. There exists a phase transition between rural and urban area which makes population density less important in urban area contrary to rural. However, the economic influence of population density in harvesting societies is also not straight forward. Too high population density decreases the natural endowment per capita, but eases the development of infrastructure, leading to existence of an optimal population density for economic growth. It also influences the demand for a monopolistic product, where too little density can lead to non-survival of a monopoly. Emergence of ethnic communities is based on more cooperative behavior in the case of low cultural and physical distances. At the same time, higher probability of large projects （like infrastructure） leads to development of cooperative behavior in the society. Elaboration along these lines leads to the conclusion that population density positively correlates with individualistic （non-cooperative, non-altruistic） behavior, through less time spent in cooperative infrastructure projects and higher frequency of meetings between individuals that with some probability lead to non-cooperative games.

Effects of algal concentration and initial density on the population growth of Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin(Crustacea,Cladocera)

The effects of algal concentration and initial density on the population growth of the estuarine cladocera, Diaphanosoma celebensis Stingelin, were evaluated in an indoor experiment. A 2 × 4 layout that included two algal concentrations （Chlorella pyrenoidosa, 1 × 10^6 and 3 ×10^6 cell/mL） and four inoculation densities （100, 200, 300 and 400 ind./L） were established. Diaphanosoma celebensis were reared in 150 mL flasks containing 50 mL of algal medium at 22℃, under salinity of 10 and a photoperiod of 12 h L： 12 h D. The lag phase required to initiate continuous population growth following inoculation was shorter for D. celebensis fed 1 × 10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 300 or 400 ind./L than that for D. celebensis fed 3 × 10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100 or 200 ind./L. However, D. celebensis fed 3 × 10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100 or 200 ind./L exhibited longer periods of positive population growth The maximum population densities were 5 875 ± 324, 6 690 ± 691, 7 735 ± 1,121 and 6 365 ± 691 ind./L for D. celebensis fed 1 × 10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100, 200, 300 and 400 ind./L, respectively, and 15 070 ± 379, 12 215 ± 648, 11 960±2,551 and 16 130 ± 880 ind./L for D. celebensis fed 3 ×10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100, 200, 300 and 400 ind./L, respectively. The average daily increasing rates of population were 0.076 ± 0.001, 0.065 ± 0.002, 0.055 ±0.002 and 0.048 ± 0.003 for D. celebensis fed 1×10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100, 200, 300 and 400 ind./L, respectively, and 0.098± 0.001, 0.078 ± 0.002, 0.072 ± 0.003 and 0.067 ± 0.003 forD. celebensis fed 3 × 10^6 cell/mL and inoculated at 100, 200, 300 and 400 ind./L, respectively. The maximum population density and average daily increasing rate of population increased as the algal concentration increased, whereas an increase in the inoculation density led to a linear decrease in the daily increasing rate of population under both algal concentrations. The results of the present experiment indicate that the algal concentration and inoculation density significantly affect population growth of D. celebensis, Furthermore, the results suggest that the optimal algal concentration and inoculation density for the mass culture ofD. celebensis should be 3 × 10^6 cell/mL and 100 ind./L.

Current Status of Population Density of Mediterranean Fruit Fly （Ceratitis capitata） in Fruit Orchards in Central Iraq

In the recent years The Mediterranean Fruit fly Ceratitis capitata is distributed in the orchards of central Iraq and caused highly economic losses. This study was conducted in orchards in central Iraq during 2009 and 2010 and made field survey of the insect in four types of orchards （Citrus, Apricot, Figs ＆ Citrus and A mixture of fruit trees） and used for this purpose Tephri Traps supplied with Q-Lure and dimethyl dichloroviny phosphate （DDVP）. The present preliminary study has shown that the Mediterranean fruit fly C. capitata has a year round presence in fruit orchards in central Iraq and reached its highest ntunerical density of the pest in citrus orchards during of November and December were 345 and 363 insect/trap per month in citrus orchards and the least numerical density during of January and February while the highest numerical density of the insect in orchards of Apricot in March 2010, Figs ＆ Citrus in August 2009 and a Mixture of fruit trees in November 2009 were 45, 116, 311 insect/trap per month respectively. The population density of the pest was highest is started 2010 compared with 2009, but the high temperature degree （46-51℃） in August 2010 caused decreasing the population density of this pest. C. capitata caused highly economic losses in citrus reached 68% and 71% of the Mandarin and Kaki fruits respectively Currently in Iraq to fight no control method to reduce the economic losses caused by this pest except the use of pesticides GF-120.

ESTIMATING DENSITY AND POPULATION SIZE OF TIBETAN SNOWCOCK IN TIBET

The population situation of Tibetan Snowcock (Tetragallus tibetanus) has been surveyed by line transect sampling in Tibet from 1987 to 1989. The total length of samplings is 4444km, which were arranged in an area of 1 million.km2. 783 snowcocks were recorded in 35 line transects of 408km in the effective length. From these data, the densities of the snowcocks were estimated from negative exponential density distribution and jackknife method. The average density is 1.4523 cocks/ km2 and varies from 5.6580 to 0.0697 indiv. -km2. The population size of the snowcocks is 187.303±24.781 cocks in Tibet. In this paper, the author also discussed how to locate the line transect samplings, determine the observation width, choose possible shapes of the detection function and calculate the habitat size.