bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Interpolation Techniques for Assessment of Spatial Variability of Soil Chemical Properties for Oil Palm Plantation Zonal Management
Authors: Tan S Q , Mat Su A S , Wayayok A , Sukor A S 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Spatial variability map of the soil properties is highly dependent on availability of data either in detailed or semi-detailed resolution. Variation on the data resolution affects the interpolation technique, thus the zonal management zone. However, there are many interpolation techniques offers, thus raises the issues of the most suitable method in zone classification. The study aim is to evaluate the best interpolation method in assessing the spatial variability of the soil chemical properties from highly weathered tropical mineral inland 108.5 ha oil palm plantation. These soil samples were brought back for further lab analysis. The spatial variability of the soil chemical properties was done by using interpolation techniques were utilized for geospatial statistical and deterministic analysis. Due to a variety of algorithms embedded in the interpolation techniques, the strength of Pearson correlation coefficient (r), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), and RMSE-observations standard deviation ratio (RSR) were applied for accurate quantification of interpolation method. On average, EBK and OK were the suitable interpolation methods with the least average model validation statistical value i.e. error. Therefore, the evaluation and comparison of r, NSE, PBIAS, and RSR were appropriate approaches in determining the accuracy of the interpolation method for the zonal management practices.
Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Maturity Prediction by Using Optical Spectrometer
Authors: Tuerxun Adilijiang , Mohamed Shariff Abdul Rashid , Janius Rimfiel , Abbas Zulkifly , Mahdiraji Ghafour Amouzad 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The accuracy in grading the maturity level of oil palm fruits is one of the important factors for the milling industry since it can directly affect the oil palm yield. Numerous studies have investigated for oil palm maturity classification using different approaches. However, there is a lack of clear guidance on which algorithm or technique to be applied for the oil palm maturity classification under different situations. In this research, several machine learning algorithms in the Weka data mining tool were applied for building classifier models and tested on samples of fresh fruit bunch (FFB). The maturity grade determined from the extracted sample features under the spectrometer is compared to the results of the manual standard grader of the milling industry. The validated result shows that simple lazy KStar algorithm performs better with 63% classifier model performance and the weighted average of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve area of 83.2%, which established the classifier model accuracy and enhances the model generalization when applied to the new set of test data for validation. The results of these studies make a contribution to the ongoing research in evaluating new techniques for oil palm maturity determination.
Colour Feature Extraction Techniques for Real Time System of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunch Maturity Grading
Authors: Alfatni Meftah Salem M , Mohamed Shariff Abdul Rashid , Ben Saaed Osama M. , Albhbah Atia Mahmod , Mustapha Aouache 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAccording to the natural ripeness phenomena of oil palm fruit, the oil palm fresh fruit bunch (FFB) ripeness is divided into three different categories called, under ripe, ripe, and overripe. The current method in the mills for oil palm FFB grading is manually using human graders. However, the manual grading method is subjective and prone to human errors. Thus, accurate classification of oil palm FFB with fast and easy process is necessary in oil palm farms and in the palm oil industry to grade high-quality products, especially when classifying a large amount of fruits. In this paper, an image processing algorithm scenario represented by image acquisition, segmentation, and feature extraction is implemented in real time system for oil palm FFB maturity grading. This study presents an automated inspection for the oil palm FFB using an external grading system processing based on the colour feature extraction technologies; namely, color histogram and statistical color feature (mean and standard deviation), were used to extract the oil palm FFB image’s color features. An artificial neural network (ANN) classifier as supervised machine learning technique is applied to train and test the system performance accuracy based on area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) as classifier performance evaluation. The result show that the colour histogram technique based on the ANN classifier was observed to be a more robust and accurate classifier, with overall 94% correct ripeness classification accuracy, for oil palm FFB maturity grading compared to the other techniques applied and tested in this study.
The role of defecate and microbial nitrogen-fixing preparations in the formation of alfalfa variety yield in the conditions of the south of Primorsky Krai
Authors: Ivanova E P 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Four-year studies revealed a positive role of the effect and aftereffect of the defecate and inoculation of seeds by virulent active strains of Rhizobium Synorhizobium meliloty on the productivity of green and dry alfalfa varieties VEGA 87. The total yield of green alfalfa has varied during four years of life (ten bites) from 142.2 t/ha in the control variant to 153.4-183.2 t/ha in the experimental variants. Total productivity of green mass in variant with application of lime increased by 18.3 %, in the variants with presowing treatment of the seeds with rhizobia strains –by 7.9-11.5 % and their combination – by 23.4-28.8 %. The yield of dry mass in the variant with application of defecate increased by 28.8 %, in the variants with presowing treatment of the seeds with rhizobia strains by 10.7-13.7 % and at their joint action by 37.6-42.0 %. The biggest increase in productivity of green and dry mass is provided by inoculation of the seeds with a promising A4 strain when applying defecate, and without the use of meliorant – inoculation of the seeds with the main production strain 425a. The application of defecate and bacterial preparations for presowing treatment of the alfalfa seeds is agronomically and economically profitable, it promotes to increase the environmental stability of the agricultural landscape and plants to stressful conditions, a balanced level of nutrition, increasing plant productivity and profitability (low cost) of their cultivation.
Environmental aspects of cranberry cultivation in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory
Authors: Kuptsova V A , Kopoteva T A 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The article represents the results of the introduction of American varieties of Vaccinium macrocarpon in the Khabarovsk Territory. Cranberry is of great value in human nutrition due to its high nutritional significance and unique medicinal value. The experience of plantation cultivation of cranberry in the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Poland, and Belarus proves the high efficiency of its cultivation: yields on plantations are tens or even hundreds of times higher than in natural brushwoods. Early, medium and medium-late varieties with high consumer properties are the most suitable for cultivation in the South of the Khabarovsk Territory. The advantages of cranberry cultivation in the region are the wide distribution of peat-like and peaty soils, suitable natural and climatic conditions, experimental confirmation of the possibility to obtain high yields of berries, and a high economic effect. Cranberry cultivation can also help reduce the anthropogenic load on the natural berry fields of the region. The paper provides data on the survivability, length of shoots growth, and yield of these varieties.
Mathematical modelling of the distribution of non-conservative impurities
Authors: Kozhevnikova T V , Pogorelov S A , Illarionova L V 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Currently, there is an increase in anthropogenic pressure on all ecological systems, including water bodies. It should be noted that the cost is high for experimental studies of the dynamics of the distribution of non-conservative impurities in the aquatic environment because they are associated with the use of expensive equipment (spectrophotometric, polarographic, spectrographic, etc.) and experimental facilities. In this regard, mathematical methods of modelling natural processes play an important role. In the work, a mathematical model is developed for studying the distribution of pollutants in rivers, taking into account chemical reactions, and the results of numerical experiments characterising the distribution of non-conservative nitrogen impurities in different periods of the year are presented.
Problems of rational varietal placement of soybean in the Amur region
Authors: Selikhova O A , Tikhonchuk P V 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The article presents an analysis of seven-year data on varietal placement of soybean in the fields of the Amur Region. The share of soybean varieties of Amur and foreign breeding and non-varietal part of seeds is shown. Emphasis is placed on the problems of not rational varietal placement of soybean. The most popular breeding varieties of All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Soybean for the last two years have been noted: Alena, Gratsiya, Dauriya, Lidiya, Nega 1, Umka. In the Amur Region, the share of soybean varieties of early-ripening group in the total sowing is 31.1%, mid-ripening – 49.6% and late-ripening – 7.6%. In most farms, a set of varieties of different groups in precocity does not correspond to hydrothermal conditions and economic opportunities. At the same time, 12-18% of soybean seeds sown in the fields of the Amur Region are not varietal. Recommendations for the rational management of soybean farming are formulated: apply varieties corresponding to the climatic and economic capabilities of the region; improve the structure of crops, where the share of soybean should not exceed more than 60%; master scientifically based crop rotation regimes providing maximum output product per unit area with preserving soil fertility; sow seeds not lower than the third reproduction; to select a set of varieties of various groups according to their precocity corresponding to hydrothermal conditions and economic potential; improve soybean seed production in the region to provide high-quality and affordable seed material to all farms.
Anthropogenic impacts on organic matter transformation and biological activity in the meadow brown heavy loamy soils
Authors: Selezneva N A , Aseeva T A , Fedorova T N 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of continuous anthropogenic pressure on soil organic matter in three long-term, experimental, rotated crop fields established in 1963–1965. The application of the maximum dose (N3P3K3) of a mineral fertilizer partially neutralized the adverse effects of continuous anthropogenic pressure on soils, by providing plants with essential nutrients and increasing the soil biological activity. The organic matter of soils in which wheat, soybeans and oats were grown was 0.62%, 1.49% and 0.55% less, respectively than that of soils in natural ecosystems. The use of N3P3K3 resulted in 1.34 million (oats), 0.60 million (soybean), and 6.18 million (wheat) more ammonifier units than the control. It also increased amylolytic microflora by 19.57 million (oats), 17.86 million (soybean), and 50.61 million (wheat) units compared to control.
The influence of hydrothermal conditions in the Middle Amur Region on main characteristics of pea varieties of various uses
Authors: Shepel O L , Stepanov A S , Zvolimbovskaya M P 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The paper considers the influence of meteorological factors on the productivity indicators of different pea varieties in the Middle Amur Region. The studies were conducted in 2017–2019 for three groups of pea varieties identified by their use. A difference was found in the reaction of each group of varieties to unfavourable hydrothermal growing conditions. The average values of productivity indicators for pea classes in favourable and unfavourable years are calculated. It was found that the most significant indicators characterizing the different classes of pea are the number of internodes to the first pod, the length of the stem, and the 1000-seed weight. The relationship between the number of internodes to the first pod and the climatic characteristics of the growing season for both grain and forage varieties were revealed. As independent variables, the model includes the growing duration and the average temperature of the flowering-maturation period (R2 is 0.85 for forage and R2 is 0.56 for grain).
Jointly modeling the adoption and use of clean cooking fuels in rural India
Authors: Gould Carlos F , Hou Xiaoxue , Richmond Jennifer , Sharma Anjali , Urpelainen Johannes 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Solid fuel combustion is a major cause of household air pollution, a leading environmental health risk factor globally. In India, over 750 million people continue to rely on firewood and other solid fuels for daily cooking. We explore the drivers of adoption and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), India’s dominant clean cooking fuel. We document strides in LPG ownership using a panel dataset of over 8,500 rural households from six Indian states surveyed in 2015 and 2018 (ACCESS), partially due to India’s flagship clean cooking policy Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). We further demonstrate that the drivers of initial LPG adoption also apply to use. While fuel stacking—using solid fuels and LPG jointly—is pervasive, improved rural incomes and education result in the increased use of clean cooking fuels. After adoption, general LPG customers are predicted to consume on average 93 kilograms of LPG yearly (95% confidence interval (CI): 91–95 kg/year). However, PMUY beneficiaries are predicted to consume 27 kilograms of LPG (95% CI: 24–30 kg/year) less on average than general customers each year, even after controlling for socio-economic differences and years of using LPG. Our findings suggest that additional strategies to accelerate the transition to exclusive LPG use among the 80 million households acquiring LPG through PMUY should aim to improve affordability and increase awareness to realize the full benefits of the Government of India’s investments in cleaner cooking.
Analysis of the Effects of Isotretinoin on Rhinoplasty Patients
Authors: Yahyavi Shahriyar , Jahandideh Hesam , Izadi Mehdi , Paknejad Hamidreza , Kordbache Niousha , Taherzade Sanaz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Although the number of cosmetic surgeries performed per year continues to increase, many candidates have skin problems. Thick-skinned rhinoplasty patients pose a real challenge for surgeons. Fear of performing surgery in patients with a history of isotretinoin use is another concern.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to study the effects of perioperative isotretinoin on rhinoplasty patient outcomes.

Methods
This research was conducted on 350 rhinoplasty patients, divided into control and experimental groups, between 2012 and 2015. The experimental group patients were requested to consume isotretinoin from 2 weeks before surgery to 2 months following the surgery. A comparison was made between the 2 groups 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery.

Results
Statistical tests indicated that the satisfaction of experimental group patients at months 1 and 3 following the surgery was significantly higher than that of control group patients (P &lt; 0.01). Examination of the patients’ noses found little evidence for soft tissue repair disturbance and cartilaginous deformities. Nine patients from the experimental group needed revision surgery during the study period, but none of the revision surgeries was for a cause clearly attributable to the intake of isotretinoin.

Conclusions
The results of this research suggest that isotretinoin causes no evident disturbance to the recovery of rhinoplastic incisions and internal nose structures. Moreover, none of the experimental group patients showed hypertrophic tissues and cartilaginous deformities, and the repair was satisfactory, similar to the control group. However, patients receiving isotretinoin were more satisfied with their operation outcomes and experienced fewer skin problems.

Level of Evidence: 3
How bioinformatics resources work with G4 RNAs
Authors: Miskiewicz Joanna , Sarzynska Joanna , Szachniuk Marta 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Quadruplexes (G4s) are of interest, which increases with the number of identified G4 structures and knowledge about their biomedical potential. These unique motifs form in many organisms, including humans, where their appearance correlates with various diseases. Scientists store and analyze quadruplexes using recently developed bioinformatic tools—many of them focused on DNA structures. With an expanding collection of G4 RNAs, we check how existing tools deal with them. We review all available bioinformatics resources dedicated to quadruplexes and examine their usefulness in G4 RNA analysis. We distinguish the following subsets of resources: databases, tools to predict putative quadruplex sequences, tools to predict secondary structure with quadruplexes and tools to analyze and visualize quadruplex structures. We share the results obtained from processing specially created RNA datasets with these tools.
Contact: mszachniuk@cs.put.poznan.pl
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Briefings in Bioinformatics online.
DNMT1 and DNMT3B regulate tumorigenicity of human prostate cancer cells by controlling RAD9 expression through targeted methylation
Authors: Zhu Aiping , Hopkins Kevin M , Friedman Richard A , Bernstock Joshua D , Broustas Constantinos G , Lieberman Howard B 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. RAD9 stabilizes the genome, but prostate cancer cells and tumors often have high quantities of the protein. Reduction of RAD9 level within prostate cancer cells decreases tumorigenicity of nude mouse xenographs and metastasis phenotypes in culture, indicating that RAD9 overproduction is essential for the disease. In prostate cancer DU145 cells, CpG hypermethylation in a transcription suppressor site of RAD9 intron 2 causes high-level gene expression. Herein, we demonstrate that DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and DNMT3B are highly abundant in prostate cancer cells DU145, CWR22, LNCaP and PC-3; yet, these DNMTs bind primarily to the transcription suppressor in DU145, the only cells where methylation is critical for RAD9 regulation. For DU145 cells, DNMT1 or DNMT3B shRNA reduced RAD9 level and tumorigenicity, and RAD9 ectopic expression restored this latter activity in the DNMT knockdown cells. High levels of RAD9, DNMT1, DNMT3B and RAD9 transcription suppressor hypermethylation were significantly correlated in prostate tumors, and not in normal prostate tissues. Based on these results, we propose a novel model where RAD9 is regulated epigenetically by DNMT1 and DNMT3B, via targeted hypermethylation, and that consequent RAD9 overproduction promotes prostate tumorigenesis.
The neural basis of attentional alterations in prenatally protein malnourished rats
Authors: Rushmore R J , McGaughy J A , Amaral A C , Mokler D J , Morgane P J , Galler J R , Rosene D L 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Protein malnutrition during gestation alters brain development and produces specific behavioral and cognitive changes that persist into adulthood and increase the risks of neuropsychiatric disorders. Given evidence for the role of the prefrontal cortex in such diseases, it is significant that studies in humans and animal models have shown that prenatal protein malnutrition specifically affects functions associated with prefrontal cortex. However, the neural basis underlying these changes is unclear. In the current study, prenatally malnourished and control rats performed a sustained attention task with an unpredictable distractor, a task that depends on intact prefrontal cortical function. Radiolabeled 2-deoxyglucose was used to measure neural and brain network activity during the task. Results confirmed that adult prenatally malnourished rats were more distractible than controls and exhibited lower functional activity in prefrontal cortices. Thus, prefrontal activity was a predictor of task performance in controls but not prenatally malnourished animals. Instead, prenatally malnourished animals relied on different brain networks involving limbic structures such as the hippocampus. These results provide evidence that protein reduction during brain development has more wide-reaching effects on brain networks than previously appreciated, resulting in the formation of brain networks that may reflect compensatory responses in prenatally malnourished brains.
Urine concentrating defect as presenting sign of progressive renal failure in Bardet–Biedl syndrome patients
Authors: Zacchia Miriam , Blanco Francesca Del Vecchio , Torella Annalaura , Raucci Raffaele , Blasio Giancarlo , Onore Maria Elena , Marchese Emanuela , Trepiccione Francesco , Vitagliano Caterina , Iorio Valentina Di , Alessandra Perna , Simonelli Francesca , Nigro Vincenzo , Capasso Giovambattista , Viggiano Davide 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundUrine concentrating defect is a common dysfunction in ciliopathies, even though its underlying mechanism and its prognostic meaning are largely unknown. This study assesses renal function in a cohort of 54 Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) individuals and analyses whether renal hyposthenuria is the result of specific tubule dysfunction and predicts renal disease progression.MethodsThe estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) and maximum urine osmolality (max-Uosm) were measured in all patients. Genetic analysis was conducted in 43 patients. Annual eGFR decline (ΔeGFR) was measured in patients with a median follow-up period of 6.5 years. Urine aquaporin-2 (uAQP2) excretion was measured and the furosemide test was performed in patients and controls.ResultsAt baseline, 33 (61.1%), 12 (22.2%) and 9 (16.7%) patients showed an eGFR &gt;90, 60–90 and &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; 27.3% showed an ACR &gt;30 mg/g and 55.8% of patients showed urine concentrating defect in the absence of renal insufficiency. Baseline eGFR, but not max-Uosm, correlated negatively with age. Conversely, truncating mutations affected max-Uosm and showed a trend towards a reduction in eGFR. Max-Uosm correlated with ΔeGFR (P &lt; 0.005), suggesting that urine concentrating defect may predict disease progression. uAQP2 excretion and Na+ and Cl− fractional excretion after furosemide did not differ between hyposthenuric patients and controls, suggesting that specific collecting duct and thick ascending limb dysfunctions are unlikely to play a central role in the pathogenesis of hyposthenuria.ConclusionsHyposthenuria is a warning sign predicting poor renal outcome in BBS. The pathophysiology of this defect is most likely beyond defective tubular function.