Saltbush seedlings (Atriplex spp.) shed border-like cells from closed-type root apical meristems.

Australian saltbush (Atriplex spp.) survive in exceptionally saline environments and are often used for pasture in semi-arid areas. To investigate the impact of salinity on saltbush root morphology and root exudates, three Australian native saltbush species (Atriplex nummularia , Atriplex amnicola , and Atriplex vesicaria ) were grown in vitro in optimised sterile, semi-hydroponic systems in media supplemented with different concentrations of salt (NaCl). Histological stains and chromatographic techniques were used to characterise the root apical meristem (RAM) type and root exudate composition of the saltbush seedlings. We report that saltbush species have closed-type RAMs, which release border-like cells (BLCs). Monosaccharide content, including glucose and fructose, in the root mucilage of saltbush was found to be uniquely low, suggesting that saltbush may minimise carbon release in polysaccharides of root exudates. Root mucilage also contained notable levels of salt, plus increasing levels of unidentified compounds at peak salinity. Un-esterified homogalacturonan, xyloglucan, and arabinogalactan proteins between and on the surface of BLCs may aid intercellular adhesion. At the highest salinity levels, root cap morphology was altered but root:shoot ratio remained consistent. While questions remain about the identity of some components in saltbush root mucilage other than the key monosaccharides, this new information about root cap morphology and cell surface polysaccharides provides avenues for future research.

Non-invasive assessment of cultivar and sex of Cannabis sativa L. by means of hyperspectral measurement.

Cannabis sativa L. is a versatile crop attracting increasing attention for food, fiber, and medical uses. As a dioecious species, males and females are visually indistinguishable during early growth. For seed or cannabinoid production, a higher number of female plants is economically advantageous. Currently, sex determination is labor-intensive and costly. Instead, we used rapid and non-destructive hyperspectral measurement, an emerging means of assessing plant physiological status, to reliably differentiate males and females. One industrial hemp (low tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) cultivar was pre-grown in trays before transfer to the field in control soil. Reflectance spectra were acquired from leaves during flowering and machine learning algorithms applied allowed sex classification, which was best using a radial basis function (RBF) network. Eight industrial hemp (low THC) cultivars were field grown on fertilized and control soil. Reflectance spectra were acquired from leaves at early development when the plants of all cultivars had developed between four and six leaf pairs and in three cases only flower buds were visible (start of flowering). Machine learning algorithms were applied, allowing sex classification, differentiation of cultivars and fertilizer regime, again with best results for RBF networks. Differentiating nutrient status and varietal identity is feasible with high prediction accuracy. Sex classification was error-free at flowering but less accurate (between 60% and 87%) when using spectra from leaves at early growth stages. This was influenced by both cultivar and soil conditions, reflecting developmental differences between cultivars related to nutritional status. Hyperspectral measurement combined with machine learning algorithms is valuable for non-invasive assessment of C. sativa cultivar and sex. This approach can potentially improve regulatory security and productivity of cannabis farming.

"My heart is in his hands": The lived spiritual experiences of Congolese refugee women survivors of sexual violence.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has experienced widespread violence, including sexual violence. Sexual violence toward women includes rape, genital mutilation, and sexual slavery. Many Congolese have sought to escape such conditions as refugees in the USA. In the present study, we examined lived spiritual experiences of nine Congolese refugee women survivors of sexual violence. Overall, this study provides new insights into participants' experiences of spirituality in the aftermath of sexual trauma and in living as a refugees. Consensual qualitative research (CQR) methods were used to analyze participants' responses to a semistructured interview protocol. Participants endorsed faith that God was in control, reliance on prayer, gratitude toward God, and difficulty practicing their faith in the USA relative to Africa. Results indicated that religion/spirituality is an integral part of the women's lives and that it appears to facilitate coping. Clinical and community mental health implications are discussed.