bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Crop Classification Accuracy through Synthetic SAR-Optical Data Generation Using Deep Learning
Authors: Mirzaei Ali , Bagheri Hossein , Khosravi Iman
Published: November 2023

Crop classification using remote sensing data has emerged as a prominent research area in recent decades. Studies have demonstrated that fusing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical images can significantly enhance the accuracy of classification. However, a major challenge in this field is the limited availability of training data, which adversely affects the performance of classifiers. In agricultural regions, the dominant crops typically consist of one or two specific types, while other crops are scarce. Consequently, when collecting training samples to create a map of agricultural products, there is an abundance of samples from the dominant crops, forming the majority classes. Conversely, samples from other crops are scarce, representing the minority classes. Addressing this issue requires overcoming several challenges and weaknesses associated with the traditional data generation methods. These methods have been employed to tackle the imbalanced nature of training data. Nevertheless, they still face limitations in effectively handling minority classes. Overall, the issue of inadequate training data, particularly for minority classes, remains a hurdle that the traditional methods struggle to overcome. In this research, we explore the effectiveness of a conditional tabular generative adversarial network (CTGAN) as a synthetic data generation method based on a deep learning network, for addressing the challenge of limited training data for minority classes in crop classification using the fusion of SAR-optical data. Our findings demonstrate that the proposed method generates synthetic data with a higher quality, which can significantly increase the number of samples for minority classes, leading to a better performance of crop classifiers. For instance, according to the G-mean metric, we observed notable improvements in the performance of the XGBoost classifier of up to 5% for minority classes. Furthermore, the statistical characteristics of the synthetic data were similar to real data, demonstrating the fidelity of the generated samples. Thus, CTGAN can be employed as a solution for addressing the scarcity of training data for minority classes in crop classification using SAR–optical data.
CoDiS: Community Detection via Distributed Seed Set Expansion on Graph Streams
Authors: Anderson Austin , Potikas Petros , Potika Katerina
Published: November 2023

Community detection has been (and remains) a very important topic in several fields. From marketing and social networking to biological studies, community detection plays a key role in advancing research in many different fields. Research on this topic originally looked at classifying nodes into discrete communities (non-overlapping communities) but eventually moved forward to placing nodes in multiple communities (overlapping communities). Unfortunately, community detection has always been a time-inefficient process, and datasets are too large to realistically process them using traditional methods. Because of this, recent methods have turned to parallelism and graph stream models, where the edge list is accessed one edge at a time. However, all these methods, while offering a significant decrease in processing time, still have several shortcomings. We propose a new parallel algorithm called community detection with seed sets (CoDiS), which solves the overlapping community detection problem in graph streams. Initially, some nodes (seed sets) have known community structures, and the aim is to expand these communities by processing one edge at a time. The innovation of our approach is that it splits communities among the parallel computation workers so that each worker is only updating a subset of all the communities. By doing so, we decrease the edge processing throughput and decrease the amount of time each worker spends on each edge. Crucially, we remove the need for every worker to have access to every community. Experimental results show that we are able to gain a significant improvement in running time with no loss of accuracy.
Mirabegron, a Selective β3-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist, as a Potential Anti-Obesity Drug
Authors: Dąbrowska Anna Maria , Dudka Jarosław
Published: November 2023

Obesity is becoming a global health epidemic. Brown and “beige” adipose tissue may produce heat, leading to energy expenditure enhancement and weight loss. Mirabegron, a selective β3-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been found to be effective as a brown adipose tissue activator, a “beige” cells stimulator and a metabolic homeostasis controller in animal and human studies. Although in animal studies, administration of mirabegron led to obesity improvement, significant weight loss in obese patients after mirabegron treatment has not been demonstrated so far, which may be associated with the too-short duration of the trials and the small number of participants in the studies. In humans, the most effective treatment for adipose tissue stimulation was high doses of mirabegron; however, cardiovascular side effects may limit the use of such doses, so the long-term safety must be evaluated. In cases of tachycardia or blood pressure elevation, the co-administration of a β1-adrenergic receptor blocker may be useful. It should be checked whether smaller doses of mirabegron, taken for a longer time, will be sufficient to stimulate brown and “beige” adipose tissue, leading to weight loss. The introduction of mirabegron into obesity treatment in the future will require long-term trials with larger numbers of subjects, to assess mirabegron efficacy, tolerability, and safety.
The Impact of Anthropogenic Activities and Natural Factors on the Grassland over the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone of Inner Mongolia
Authors: Lyu Feinan , Pan Ying , Yu LinJun , Wang Xiang , Yu Zhenrong
Published: November 2023

The agro-pastoral ecotone serves as an important ecological transition zone between grassland and cropland. It plays a crucial role in providing forage and maintaining the ecological security of Northern China. China has initiated many ecological restoration projects in the agro-pastoral ecotone. Separating the affecting factors of anthropogenic activities and natural factors change on grassland may help guide future ecological restoration projects. This study investigated the grassland change over the agro-pastoral ecotone in Inner Mongolia (APEI) using land use data, vegetation index, and monthly climate data, social and economic data from 2010 to 2020. Two indicators were introduced to evaluate the grassland change in quality and quantity. The average annual maximum NDVI of grassland within each sample was used as a proxy for grassland quality, and the proportion of grassland within each sample was used as a proxy for grassland quantity. The driving mechanisms of grassland quality were examined on different types of grassland. The results showed that (1) from 2010 to 2020, the quantity of grassland in APEI slightly decreased while the quality of the grassland significantly improved; (2) the change in grassland quality was jointly caused by natural factors and human activities, with 66.77% being attributed to natural factors and 33.23% to human activities. In some areas, the alteration in grassland quality was solely determined by either the impacts of natural factors or human-induced disturbances; and (3) temperature and precipitation played different roles in affecting grassland quality among different types of grassland. In some areas, anthropogenic activities, such as farmland and population, would affect grassland quality. The findings of this study would contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of ecological environmental changes in the agro-pastoral ecotone and guide the planning and implementation of future ecological restoration projects in agro-pastoral areas.
An Experimental Study on Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Turning of Aluminum Alloy 6061 with Vegetable Oil-Based Nanofluid Minimum Quantity Lubrication
Authors: Liu Guoliang , Wang Jin , Zheng Jintao , Ji Min , Wang Xiangyu
Published: November 2023

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) is a potential technology for reducing the consumption of cutting fluids in machining processes. However, there is a need for further improvement in its lubrication and cooling properties. Nanofluid MQL (NMQL) and ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining are both effective methods of enhancing MQL. To achieve an optimal result, this work presents a new method of combining nanofluid MQL with ultrasonic vibration assistance in a turning process. Comparative experimental studies were conducted for two types of turning processes of aluminum alloy 6061, including conventional turning (CT) and ultrasonic vibration-assisted turning (UVAT). For each turning process, five types of lubricating methods were applied, including dry, MQL, nanofluid MQL with graphene nanosheets (GN-MQL), nanofluid MQL with diamond nanoparticles (DN-MQL), and nanofluid MQL with a diamond/graphene hybrid (GN+DN-MQL). A specific cutting energy and areal surface roughness were adopted to evaluate the machinability. The results show that the new method can further improve the machining performance by reducing the specific cutting energy and areal surface roughness, compared with the NMQL turning process and UVAT process. The diamond nanoparticles are easy to embed on the workpiece surface under the UVAT process, which can increase the specific cutting energy and Sa as compared to the MQL method. The graphene nanosheets can produce the interlayer shear effect and be squeezed into the workpiece, thus reducing the specific cutting energy. The results provide a new way for the development of eco-friendly machining.
Physico-Mechanical and Durability Characterization of Eco-Ternary Cementitious Binder Containing Calcined Clay/Rice Husk Ash and Recycled Glass Powder
Authors: Nshimiyimana Philbert , Tameghe Ulrich Franck , Ramadji Christian , Prud’homme Elodie , Zhao Zengfeng , Compaoré Désiré , Messan Adamah
Published: November 2023

The objective of this study is to determine the influence of recycled glass powder (GP) on the physico-mechanical behavior and durability of a ternary cementitious binder containing calcined clay_metakaolin (MK) or rice husk ash (RHA). Different mortars were produced and characterized in fresh and hardened states. Reference mortars were produced using 100% cement CEM II/B-L 42.5R and 70% CEM + 30% MK or RHA. Test mortars were produced with the substitution of the MK or RHA with the GP and keeping the rate of the substitution at 30%; i.e., in ratios of 20:10, 15:15, and 20:10 of MK/RHA:GP. The water/binder weight ratio was maintained at 0.5, and the consistency of all mortars was adjusted using an admixture (superplasticizer/binder weight ratio of 0.75%). The substitution of MK and RHA with GP reduces the water demand to achieve the normal consistency of pastes and therefore increases the workability of mortars containing both binders CEM+MK+GP and CEM+RHA+GP. The substitution of MK and RHA with GP slightly reduces the compressive strength for both binders. The water-accessible porosity slightly increases for the substitution of MK and reduces for the substitution of RHA with GP. The mass losses after acid attack slightly increase with the substitution with GP, lower for the MK than the RHA up to 15% GP, but it remained far below that of 100% CEM. The results show that the substitution of MK and RHA with GP can improve the physical properties and durability of the mortars compared with that of 100% CEM, but it slightly decreases the mechanical properties due to the low rate of the pozzolanic reactivity of the GP. Further studies should seek to understand the reactivity behavior of the GP at the microstructure scale and therefore improve the mechanical performance of GP based mortar.
Effects of Nandrolone Decanoate on Skeletal Muscle and Neuromuscular Junction of Sedentary and Exercised Rats
Authors: Tibúrcio Felipe Cantore , Leite Ana Paula Silveira , Muller Kevin Silva , Pinto Carina Guidi , Valentino Erick , Castro Paula Aiello Tomé de Souza , Matsumura Cintia Yuri , Carvalho Shelly Favorito de , Matheus Selma Maria Michelin
Published: November 2023

Background and Objectives: Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is the most widely used among the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), synthetic substances derived from testosterone, to improve muscular and health gains associated with exercises. The AAS leads to physical performance enhancement and presents anti-aging properties, but its abuse is associated with several adverse effects. Supraphysiological doses of AAS with or without physical exercise can cause morphological and functional alterations in neuromuscular interactions. This study aims to investigate the effects of ND supraphysiological doses in neuromuscular interactions, focusing on the soleus muscle and its neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in rats, associated or not with physical exercise. Materials and Methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sedentary and exercised groups, with or without ND at the dose of 10 mg/kg/week. The animals were treated for eight weeks, with intramuscular injections, and the soleus muscle was collected for morphological analyses. Results: The supraphysiological doses of ND in the sedentary group caused muscle degeneration, evidenced by splitting fibers, clusters of small fibers, irregular myofibrils, altered sarcomeres, an increase in collagen deposition and in the number of type I muscle fibers (slow-twitch) and central nuclei, as well as a decrease in fibers with peripheral nuclei. On the other hand, in the ND exercise group, there was an increase in the NMJs diameter with scattering of its acetylcholine receptors, although no major morphological changes were found in the skeletal muscle. Thus, the alterations caused by ND in sedentary rats were partially reversed by physical exercise. Conclusions: The supraphysiological ND exposure in the sedentary rats promoted an increase in muscle oxidative pattern and adverse morphological alterations in skeletal muscle, resulting from damage or post-injury regeneration. In the ND-exercised rats, no major morphological changes were found. Thus, the physical exercise partially reversed the alterations caused by ND in sedentary rats.
Endoscopic Management of Bleeding in Altered Anatomy after Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
Authors: Gibiino Giulia , Binda Cecilia , Secco Matteo , Giuffrida Paolo , Coluccio Chiara , Perini Barbara , Fabbri Stefano , Liverani Elisa , Jung Carlo Felix Maria , Fabbri Carlo
Published: November 2023

Postoperative non variceal upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage may occur early or late and affect a variable percentage of patients—up to about 2%. Most cases of intraluminal bleeding are an indication for urgent Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and require endoscopic haemostatic treatment. In addition to the approach usually adopted in non-variceal upper haemorrhages, these cases may be burdened with difficulties in terms of anastomotic tissue, angled positions, and the risk of further complications. There is also extreme variability related to the type of surgery performed, in the context of oncological disease or bariatric surgery. At the same time, the world of haemostatic devices available in digestive endoscopy is increasing, meeting high efficacy rates and attempting to treat even the most complex cases. Our narrative review summarises the current evidence in terms of different approaches to endoscopic haemostasis in upper bleeding in altered anatomy after surgery, proposing an up-to-date guidance for endoscopic clinicians and at the same time, highlighting areas of future scientific research.
A Low-Cost Microfluidic and Optically Transparent Water Antenna with Frequency-Tuning Characteristics
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah , Shah Syed Imran Hussain , Kiv Sakobyly , Ho Jinwoo , Lim Sungjoon
Published: November 2023

In this study, a novel microfluidic frequency reconfigurable and optically transparent water antenna is designed using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The proposed antenna consists of three distinct parts, including a circularly shaped distilled water ground, a sea water-based circular segmented radiator, and a circularly shaped distilled water-based load, all ingeniously constructed from transparent resin material. The presented antenna is excited by a disk-loaded probe. The frequency of the antenna can be easily tuned by filling and emptying/evacuating sea water from the multisegmented radiator. The radiator consists of three segments with different radii, and each segment has a different resonant frequency. When the radiator is filled, the antenna resonates at the frequency of the segment that is filled. When all the radiator segments are filled, the antenna operates at the resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz and possesses an impedance bandwidth of 1.05 GHz (40%) in the range of 2.10–3.15 GHz. By filling different radiator segments, the frequency could be tuned from 2.4 to 2.6 GHz. In addition to the frequency-switching characteristics, the proposed antenna exhibits high simulated radiation efficiency (with a peak performance reaching 95%) and attains a maximum realized gain of 3.8 dBi at 2.9 GHz. The proposed antenna integrates water as its predominant constituent, which is easily available, thereby achieving cost-effectiveness, compactness, and transparency characteristics; it also has the potential to be utilized in future applications, involving transparent and flexible electronics.
An Ultraviolet-Lithography-Assisted Sintering Method for Glass Microlens Array Fabrication
Authors: Zuo Fangyuan , Ma Shenghua , Zhao Wei , Yang Chenqian , Li Ziyu , Zhang Chen , Bai Jintao
Published: November 2023

Glass microlens arrays (MLAs) have tremendous prospects in the fields of optical communication, sensing and high-sensitivity imaging for their excellent optical properties, high mechanical robustness and physicochemical stability. So far, glass MLAs are primarily fabricated using femtosecond laser modification assisted etching, in which the preparation procedure is time-consuming, with each concave-shaped microlens being processed using a femtosecond laser point by point. In this paper, a new method is proposed for implementing large-scale glass MLAs using glass particle sintering with the assistance of ultraviolet (UV) lithography. The glass particles are dispersed into the photoresist at first, and then immobilized as large-scaled micropillar arrays on quartz glass substrate using UV lithographing. Subsequently, the solidified photoresist is debinded and the glass particles are melted by means of sintering. By controlling the sintering conditions, the convex microlens will be self-assembled, attributed to the surface tension of the molten glass particles. Finally, MLAs with different focal lengths (0.12 to 0.2 mm) are successfully fabricated by utilizing different lithography masks. Meanwhile, we also present the optimization of the sintering parameter for eliminating the bubbles in the microlenses. The main factors that affect the focal length of the microlens and the image performance of the MLAs have been studied in detail.
Design and Experimental Study of Longitudinal-Torsional Composite Ultrasonic Internal Grinding Horn
Authors: Zhang Hongyin , Jiao Feng , Niu Ying , Li Chenglong , Zhang Ziqiang , Tong Jinglin
Published: November 2023

Longitudinal-torsional composite ultrasonic vibration has been widely used in grinding. This paper aims to solve the problem that the resonance frequency deviates greatly from the theoretical design frequency and the vibration mode is poor when the horn is matched with a larger tool head. This paper presents how the longitudinal-torsional composite ultrasonic conical transition horn was designed and optimized by the transfer matrix theory and finite element simulation. For this purpose, the spiral groove parameters were optimized and selected by finite element simulation. Then, the modal analysis and transient dynamic analysis of the horn with grinding wheel were carried out to verify the correctness of the theoretical calculation. The impedance analysis and amplitude test of the horn with grinding wheel were carried out. The test results were in very good agreement with the theoretical and simulation results. Finally, the grinding experiment was carried out. The surface roughness of the workpiece in longitudinal-torsional ultrasonic vibration grinding was obviously reduced compared to that of ordinary grinding. All these obtained results demonstrate that the designed longitudinal-torsional composite ultrasonic horn has very good operational performance for practical applications.
Geobacter grbiciae—A New Electron Donor in the Formation of Co-Cultures via Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer
Authors: Deng Panbo , Wang Lulu , Li Xia , Zhang Jinshan , Jiang Haiming
Published: November 2023

Geobacter grbiciae can grow via coupling oxidation of ethanol to the reduction of various forms of soluble Fe(III) and poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxide, suggesting that G. grbiciae can act as an electron-donor microbe for forming co-cultures through direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). In this report, potential co-cultures through DIET of G. grbiciae and Methanosarcina barkeri 800, G. sulfurreducens Δhyb, or Methanospirillum hungatei, as electron-acceptor microbes, were examined. Co-cultures of G. grbiciae and G. sulfurreducens Δhyb were performed with ethanol as the sole electron-donor substance and fumarate as the electron-acceptor substance in the presence of granular activated carbon (GAC), magnetite, or polyester felt. The conditions for co-culturing G. grbiciae and M. barkeri 800 (or M. hungatei) were the same as those for G. grbiciae and G. sulfurreducens Δhyb, except fumarate was absent and different cultivation temperatures were used. All co-cultures were anaerobically cultivated. Samples were regularly withdrawn from the co-cultures to monitor methane, fumarate, and succinate via gas or high-performance liquid chromatography. G. grbiciae formed functional co-cultures with M. barkeri 800 in the presence of GAC or magnetite. No co-culture of G. grbiciae with the H2/formate-utilizing methanogen M. hungatei was observed. Additionally, G. grbiciae formed functional co-cultures with H2/formate-un-utilizing G. sulfurreducens Δhyb without the GAC or magnetite supplement. These findings indicate electron transfer between G. grbiciae and M. barkeri 800/G. sulfurreducens Δhyb is via DIET rather than H2/formate, confirming that G. grbiciae acts as an electron-donor microbe. Although the co-cultures of G. grbiciae and M. barkeri 800 syntrophically converted ethanol to methane through DIET, the conversion of propionate or butyrate to methane was not observed. These findings expand the range of microbes that can act as electron donors for interaction with other microbes through DIET. However, propionate and butyrate metabolism through DIET in mixed microbial communities with methane as a product requires further analysis. This study provides a framework for finding new electron-donor microbes.
Rethinking the Environmental Virtue of Ecological Justice from the Interdependencies of Non-Human Capabilities and Synergetic Flourishing
Authors: Moyano-Fernández Cristian
Published: November 2023

The capabilities approach has largely addressed individual capabilities via a liberal framework common in its literature. However, a growing number of scholars concerned with sustainable human development are analyzing theories and methodologies that are both suitable for human flourishing and display a respect for nature. This paper explores several forms of considering the value of non-animal and non-individual natural entities, such as ecosystems. I first expose some instrumental reasons why we may care about the flourishing of ecosystems and then other reasons based on the assumption that they have integrity and their own capabilities and, therefore, deserve moral consideration. I argue that despite the possible moral conflicts that may emerge between human and ecosystemic autonomy, they could be avoided by adopting an ecological justice virtue. I present this ecological justice characterized by some contributions of decolonial thought and environmental virtue ethics. I propose that if the capabilities approach was not anchored only in an individualistic ontology, it could better assume a multi-level axiology from which the inherent and instrumental value of ecosystems would be interconnected. And, to this end, I find the concept of synergetic flourishing helpful to accept an interdependent and non-human-centered recognition of the capabilities.
Crop-Livestock Integration Improves Physical Soil, Agronomic and Environmental Aspects in Soybean Cultivation
Authors: Lima Jordaanny Danyelly Pereira , Torino Aline Borges , Silva Luciana Maria da , Nascimento Júnior Lucas Freitas do , Brito Marlete Ferreira de , Costa Kátia Aparecida de Pinho , Silva Bruno Montoani , Severiano Eduardo da Costa
Published: November 2023

Soybean is one of the most widely grown crops in the world and technologies are increasingly needed to increase productivity without impacting environmental degradation. In this context, the aim was to evaluate the action of forage plants of the genus Brachiaria sp. in crop–livestock integration on physical soil, agronomic and environmental aspects of soybean cultivation. The experiment was conducted in a subdivided plot design with seven integrated systems corresponding to the previous cultivation of Paiaguas palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass and Ruziziensis grass in monocropping and intercropped with maize, as well as maize in monocropping. In the subplots, two grass management systems were evaluated: free growth and a grazing simulation cut. The bulk density and least limiting water range were assessed using soil samples and, after the pastures were desiccated when the soybean crop was planted, straw decomposition and plantability. A soil physics diagnosis by the bulk density and least limiting water range showed that the Paiaguas palisadegrass and Xaraes palisadegrass improved the soil environment due to biological soil loosening. The remaining mulch biomass did not affect soybean sowing and the adoption of Brachiaria sp. grass in the off-season, in addition to contributing to the provision of environmental services, and did not compromise grain productivity in succession.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the HAK Gene Family in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and Their Expression Profiles under Saline and Alkaline Conditions
Authors: Chen Yanqiong , Lin Yingfeng , Zhang Shubiao , Lin Zhongyuan , Chen Songbiao , Wang Zonghua
Published: November 2023

The high-affinity K+ transporter (HAK) family, the most prominent potassium transporter family in plants, which involves K+ transport, plays crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stresses. However, the HAK gene family remains to be characterized in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). We explored HAKs in quinoa, identifying 30 members (CqHAK1–CqHAK30) in four clusters phylogenetically. Uneven distribution was observed across 18 chromosomes. Furthermore, we investigated the proteins’ evolutionary relationships, physicochemical properties, conserved domains and motifs, gene structure, and cis-regulatory elements of the CqHAKs family members. Transcription data analysis showed that CqHAKs have diverse expression patterns among different tissues and in response to abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, low phosphorus, and salt. The expressional changes of CqHAKs in roots were more sensitive in response to abiotic stress than that in shoot apices. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that under high saline condition, CqHAK1, CqHAK13, CqHAK19, and CqHAK20 were dramatically induced in leaves; under alkaline condition, CqHAK1, CqHAK13, CqHAK19, and CqHAK20 were dramatically induced in leaves, and CqHAK6, CqHAK9, CqHAK13, CqHAK23, and CqHAK29 were significantly induced in roots. Our results establish a foundation for further investigation of the functions of HAKs in quinoa. It is the first study to identify the HAK gene family in quinoa, which provides potential targets for further functional study and contributes to improving the salt and alkali tolerance in quinoa.
Potential of Artemisia dubia Wall Biomass for Natural Crop Protection
Authors: Bakšinskaitė Aušra , Tilvikiene Vita , Barčauskaitė Karolina , Feizienė Dalia
Published: November 2023

The Green Deal strategy has the very ambitious goal of transforming the European Union into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. For the agricultural sector, one of the main challenges is to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Crop protection measures aim to maintain and ensure certain standards of yield and quality, which are generally achieved by the control of pests, diseases, and weeds. One of the possibilities to reduce the use of pesticides could be allelopathic plants, which are not only potential sources of allelochemicals but also renewable biomass sources. The aim of this study was to analyze the productivity of Artemisia dubia Wall and evaluate the allelopathic effects of biomass on crops and weeds. It was determined that the biomass productivity of A. dubia varied from 2 to 18 t ha−1, depending on how many times it is cut during the growing season and the fertilizer rate. A. dubia has allelopathic properties, which were verified using an aqueous extract and can completely suppress the germination of Taraxacum officinale seeds. Young plants harvested in the middle of summer were characterized by the highest number of phenolic compounds. This shows the strong allelopathic effect of A. dubia biomass on other plants.
Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Properties of the Subfamily Nepetoideae (Lamiaceae) in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Ortiz-Mendoza Nancy , Martínez-Gordillo Martha Juana , Martínez-Ambriz Emmanuel , Basurto-Peña Francisco Alberto , González-Trujano María Eva , Aguirre-Hernández Eva
Published: November 2023

Nepetoideae is the most diverse subfamily of Lamiaceae, and some species are well known for their culinary and medicinal uses. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the therapeutic properties of the species of this group regarding inflammatory illnesses. This study aims to collect information on traditional uses through ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and phytochemical information of the subfamily Nepetoideae related to inflammatory diseases. UNAM electronic resources were used to obtain the information. The analysis of the most relevant literature was compiled and organised in tables. From this, about 106 species of the subfamily are traditionally recognised to alleviate chronic pain associated with inflammation. Pharmacological studies have been carried out in vitro and in vivo on approximately 308 species belonging to the genera Salvia, Ocimum, Thymus, Mentha, Origanum, Lavandula, and Melissa. Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluations have been performed and mostly prepared as essential oil or high polarity extracts, whose secondary metabolites are mainly of a phenolic nature. Other interesting and explored metabolites are diterpenes from the abietane, clerodane, and kaurane type; however, they have only been described in some species of the genera Salvia and Isodon. This review reveals that the Nepetoideae subfamily is an important source for therapeutics of the inflammatory process.
The Functions of an NAC Transcription Factor, GhNAC2-A06, in Cotton Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Saimi Gulisitan , Wang Ziyu , Liusui Yunhao , Guo Yanjun , Huang Gengqing , Zhao Huixin , Zhang Jingbo
Published: November 2023

Drought stress imposes severe constraints on crop growth and yield. The NAC transcription factors (TF) play a pivotal role in regulating plant stress responses. However, the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of many cotton NACs have not been explored. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of GhNAC2-A06, a gene encoding a typical cotton NAC TF. The expression of GhNAC2-A06 was induced by PEG treatment, drought stress, and ABA treatment. Furthermore, we investigated its function using the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) method. GhNAC2-A06 silenced plants exhibited a poorer growth status under drought stress conditions compared to the controls. The GhNAC2-A06 silenced cotton plants had a lower leaf relative water and chlorophyll content and a higher MDA content compared to the controls under the drought treatment. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in the GhNAC2-A06 silenced plants were found to be lower compared to the controls when exposed to drought stress. Additionally, the downregulation of the drought stress-related genes, GhSAP12-D07, GhNCED1-A01, GhLEA14-A11, GhZAT10-D02, GhPROT2-A05, GhABF3-A03, GhABF2-D05, GhSAP3-D07, and GhCPK1-D04, was observed in the GhNAC2-A06 silenced cotton. Together, our research reveals that GhNAC2-A06 plays a role in the reaction of cotton to drought stress by affecting the expression of genes related to drought stress. The data obtained from this study lay the theoretical foundation for further in-depth research on the biological function and regulatory mechanisms of GhNAC2-A06.
Antitumor Effect of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Vincristine in Mice with L5178Y Lymphoma
Authors: Almaguer Georgina , Almaguer-Vargas Gustavo , Molina-Trinidad Eva María , Becerril-Flores Marco Antonio , Montejano Brenda , Madrigal-Santillan Eduardo , Hernández-Ceruelos Alejandra , Figueroa-Gutiérrez Ana Hilda , Montejano Ethoan , Montejano-Rodríguez José Ramón
Published: November 2023

The main objective of research into new therapies is the search for more efficacy and fewer toxic effects in cancer treatments. On one hand, vincristine (VCR) is a chemotherapeutic used in different kinds of tumors. On the other hand, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a green tea metabolite that has shown an antineoplastic effect in diverse investigations, so the objective of this work is to evaluate the antitumor effects of the EGCG/VCR combination on tumor volume and survival. To achieve this objective, the solid model of lymphoma L5178Y was used in BALB/c mice with different doses of VCR, EGCG, and their combination allowed tumor growth and survival time recording. After tumor collection, measurements, and immunohistochemistry for p53, Bcl2, and Cyclin D1 were performed. The results showed that the EGCG/vincristine combination had a greater antitumor effect than those effects of vincristine and EGCG. It can be attributed to the fact that the greatest inhibition of Bcl2 was present in gathering of EGCG harvest with vincristine. Therefore, the combination of EGCG with vincristine has a better antineoplastic effect by inhibiting tumor development and increasing survival on both substances independently.
Research on Permeation Influencing Factors of Cosmetics UV Filters and Improve In Vitro Permeation Tests (IVPTs)
Authors: Zhang Wanping , Chen Changchang , Wang Heng , Gu Lihao , Zheng Shilian
Published: November 2023

The ideal UV absorber should be safe and should have excellent properties. Therefore, transdermal absorption is essential for the safety risk assessment of sunscreen cosmetics. The Franz diffusion cell method is the most common means of studying in vitro penetration, but there is a lack of standard methods for the in vitro permeation of UV absorbers. This paper used the Franz diffusion cell method to improve an in vitro permeation test (IVPT) for UV absorbers; three commonly used UV absorbers were tested: Octinoxate (EHM), Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), and Ensulizole (PBSA). The final parameters were as follows: porcine ear skin was chosen for the membrane; the temperature of the receptor fluid was 37 °C; a PBS solution with 50% ethanol was chosen for the receptor fluid; and the dose of the test substance was 3 g. The improved IVPT method will help to accurately quantify the in vitro permeation of difficult-to-permeate components. In addition, the method can also be applied to evaluate the permeability of UV absorbers under different formulation conditions, which will help to address the difficulties related to the safety and application of sunscreen products.
Outbreak Mechanism of Locust Plagues under Dynamic Drought and Flood Environments Based on Time Series Remote Sensing Data: Implication for Identifying Potential High-Risk Locust Areas
Authors: Zhao Longlong , Li Hongzhong , Huang Wenjiang , Dong Yingying , Geng Yun , Ma Huiqin , Chen Jinsong
Published: November 2023

Locust plagues inflict severe agricultural damage. Climate change-induced extreme events like rainfall and droughts have expanded locust habitats. These new areas, often beyond routine monitoring, could become potential high-risk locust areas (PHRLA). Quantitatively understanding the outbreak mechanism driving drought and flood dynamics is crucial for identifying PHRLA, but such studies are scarce. To address this gap, we conducted a case study on locust outbreaks in Xiashan Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Shandong Province, China, in 2017 and 2018. Using time series satellite imagery and meteorological products, we quantitatively analyzed how drought–flood dynamics and temperature affect locust habitats, reproduction, and aggregation. Employing an object-oriented random forest classifier, we generated locust habitat classification maps with 93.77% average overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of 0.90. Combined with meteorological analysis, we found that three consecutive drought years from 2014 to 2016 reduced the water surface area by 75%, expanding suitable habitats (primarily reeds and weeds) to cover 60% of the reservoir. Warm winters and high temperatures during locust key growth periods, coupled with expanding suitable habitats, promoted multi-generational locust reproduction. However, substantial flooding events in 2017 and 2018, driven by plentiful rainfall during key growth periods, reduced suitable habitats by approximately 54% and 29%, respectively. This compression led to high locust density, causing the locust plague and high-density spots of locusts (HDSL). Our study elucidates locust plague outbreak mechanisms under dynamic drought and flood environments. Based on this, we propose an approach to identify PHRLA by monitoring changes in drought and flood patterns around water bodies and variations in suitable habitat size and distribution, as well as surrounding topography. These findings hold significant implications for enhancing locust monitoring and early warning capabilities, reducing pesticide usage, and ensuring food and ecological security and sustainable agriculture.
Enhancing RABASAR for Multi-Temporal SAR Image Despeckling through Directional Filtering and Wavelet Transform
Authors: Bu Lijing , Zhang Jiayu , Zhang Zhengpeng , Yang Yin , Deng Mingjun
Published: November 2023

The presence of speckle noise severely hampers the interpretability of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. While research on despeckling single-temporal SAR images is well-established, there remains a significant gap in the study of despeckling multi-temporal SAR images. Addressing the limitations in the acquisition of the “superimage” and the generation of ratio images within the RABASAR despeckling framework, this paper proposes an enhanced framework. This enhanced framework proposes a direction-based segmentation approach for multi-temporal SAR non-local means filtering (DSMT-NLM) to obtain the “superimage”. The DSMT-NLM incorporates the concept of directional segmentation and extends the application of the non-local means (NLM) algorithm to multi-temporal images. Simultaneously, the enhanced framework employs a weighted averaging method based on wavelet transform (WAMWT) to generate superimposed images, thereby enhancing the generation process of ratio images. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to RABASAR, Frost, and NLM, the proposed method exhibits outstanding performance. It not only effectively removes speckle noise from multi-temporal SAR images and reduces the generation of false details, but also successfully achieves the fusion of multi-temporal information, aligning with experimental expectations.
Digital Biomarkers in the Assessment of Mobility in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: de Queiroz Rayssa Soares , Alves José Humberto , Sasaki Jeffer Eidi
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate signal patterns and parameters of digital biomarkers in the assessment of mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis, captured through motion sensors. This is an integrative literature review based on the PRISMA recommendations, which included studies that used wearable technology, such as accelerometers, wearable sensors or inertial sensors, and analyzed mobility/gait-related parameters, such as speed, step count, rhythm, balance, duration and intensity of activity. A total of 1602 studies were identified, of which only 21 were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The main digital biomarkers identified presented signal patterns and parameters captured through different wearable devices, including triaxial accelerometers, inertial sensors, smartphones or smartwatches. The studies employed different objective biomarker reference measures, such as walking speed and step count, and subjective biomarker reference measures, such as fatigue and quality of life assessment scales, for a comprehensive assessment of the participants’ health and mobility. It was found that digital biomarkers play a fundamental role in any individual’s health assessment and protocols. However, it is essential to understand these signals and standardize the choice of the best method to capture signals of high quantity and quality, especially for individuals affected by some neurological pathology.
Coast and City, It Matters Where You Live: How Geography Shapes Progression to Higher Education in England
Authors: Playford Christopher James , Mountford-Zimdars Anna , Benham-Clarke Simon
Published: November 2023

Progression to higher education in England varies markedly by region, with lower rates of participation outside of London. While some previous studies have explored challenges in accessing higher education in rural and coastal areas, there is a lack of research which considers both individual-level and geographic effects in relation to regional variations in HE progression. In this study, using multivariate regression analysis, we examine whether regional differences in transition to higher education can be explained by the rural/coastal nature of the geographic area in which young people grow up, by area-level deprivation, or by the characteristics of young people living within these regions. The analysis uses the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England, a representative cohort study. These data have been linked to information on the proximity to the coast. Consistent with other work, we find that individual differences and area-level deprivation predict HE aspirations and progression. The newly introduced coastal/rural indicator also predicts HE aspirations and progression, but this is mitigated by the inclusion of individual differences and area-level deprivation. However, we find that unexplained regional differences persist. In particular, the South West of England emerges as a regional cold spot for HE. Consequently, policy makers should consider the role that regional dynamics may have in influencing the choices and constraints faced by young people. The approach may also be applicable to understanding inequalities in progression to HE in other countries.
Possible Influence of Brittle Tectonics on the Main Road Network Built in the Central African Environment Using Remote Sensing and GIS
Authors: Tchato Sandra Céleste , Gounou Pokam Blaise Pascal , Ariane Gweth Marthe Mbond , Kayo Pokam Euloge Felix , Pouth Nkoma André Michel , Mbouombouo Ngapouth Ibrahim , Poufone Koffi Yvonne , Manguelle-Dicoum Eliezer , Njandjock Nouck Philippe
Published: November 2023

The construction of sustainable road and highway networks in the world, despite numerous feasibility, pre-feasibility and execution studies, are always confronted with the demands and vagaries of foreseeable and unforeseeable natural disasters. Studying cyclones, earthquakes, fracturing and landslide zones along roads is therefore a challenge for the sustainability of these infrastructures. In many countries around the world, the methods generally used for these studies are not only expensive and time-consuming, but also the results obtained are not always efficient. This work examines whether Landsat 8 (with a high cloud level) and SRTM data can be used in both equatorial and coastal Central Africa zones to produce relevant mapping, locating fracture and landslide zones, in order to contribute not only to a better road layout at lower cost and in a relatively short time, but also to a better prevention of geological disasters that may occur on its network. To this end, a map of the main road network was produced and validated with field data, as well as the maps of the main unstable slopes, faults and fractures zones intersecting the road or highway network. These approaches are useful for sustainable planning, management, monitoring and extension of roads worldwide, especially in Central Africa.
Lightweight and Robust Malware Detection Using Dictionaries of API Calls
Authors: Daeef Ammar Yahya , Al-Naji Ali , Chahl Javaan
Published: November 2023

Malware in today’s business world has become a powerful tool used by cyber attackers. It has become more advanced, spreading quickly and causing significant harm. Modern malware is particularly dangerous because it can go undetected, making it difficult to investigate and stop in real time. For businesses, it is vital to ensure that the computer systems are free from malware. To effectively address this problem, the most responsive solution is to operate in real time at the system’s edge. Although machine learning and deep learning have given promising performance for malware detection, the significant challenge is the required processing power and resources for implementation at the system’s edge. Therefore, it is important to prioritize a lightweight approach at the system’s edge. Equally important, the robustness of the model against the concept drift at the system’s edge is crucial to detecting the evolved zero-day malware attacks. Application programming interface (API) calls emerge as the most promising candidate to provide such a solution. However, it is quite challenging to create API call features to achieve a lightweight implementation, high malware detection rate, robustness, and fast execution. This study seeks to investigate and analyze the reuse rate of API calls in both malware and goodware, shedding light on the limitations of API call dictionaries for each class using different datasets. By leveraging these dictionaries, a statistical classifier (STC) is introduced to detect malware samples. Furthermore, the study delves into the investigation of model drift in the STC model, employing entirely distinct datasets for training and testing purposes. The results show the outstanding performance of the STC model in accurately detecting malware, achieving a recall value of one, and exhibiting robustness against model drift. Furthermore, the proposed STC model shows comparable performance to deep learning algorithms, which makes it a strong competitor for performing real-time inference on edge devices.