bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil Moisture Retrieval from Dual-Polarized Sentinel-1 SAR Data over Agricultural Regions Using a Water Cloud Model
Authors: Das Dhananjay Paswan , Pandey Ashish 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The accurate retrieval of soil moisture plays a pivotal role in agriculture, especially in effective irrigation water management, as it significantly affects crop growth and crop yield. For accurate estimation of surface soil moisture (SSM) over agricultural landscapes, the Water Cloud Model (WCM) using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is one of the promising and widely used semi-empirical models. However, estimating SSM across vegetated regions is still challenging due to the considerably backscattered radar signal affected by vegetation. The present study mainly focuses on the robustly investigated capability of dual-polarized Sentinel-1 SAR-derived vegetation descriptors in the WCM in SSM retrieval over wheat crops. The vegetation descriptors used in the study are radar vegetation index (RVI), backscattering ratio, Polarimetric radar vegetation index (PRVI), dual Polarization SAR vegetation Index (DPSVI), and Dual Polarimetric radar vegetation index (DpRVI). The performance of different vegetative descriptors in WCM was evaluated using statistical indicators, i.e., coefficient of determination (R2), Nash Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results of the WCM model illustrate that all the models show acceptable results, which confirms that this vegetative descriptor can be useful to estimate the soil moisture over the wheat crop in the study area, except for DPSVI. Furthermore, the results revealed that model performances gradually decrease as the crop enters the complex stages. In addition, WCM model results suggest that models are performing better in predicting the higher moisture content (> 30%), followed by medium moisture levels (15–30%) and lower moisture levels (< 15%). In summary, the overall finding demonstrates that PRVI outperformed other models in terms of statistical indicators value for calibration (R2 = 0.728, NSE = 0.727, PBIAS = -2.67%, and RMSE = 2.985%) and validation (R2 = 0.728, NSE = 0.684, PBIAS = -13.666%, and RMSE = 4.106%). Thus, overall results proved that the WCM model has considerable potential to retrieve SSM over wheat crops from Sentinel-1 satellite data.
A Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein from Alternaria alternata triggers cell death and negatively modulates immunity responses in chrysanthemum
Authors: Dong Boxiao , Sun Yanyan , Zhang Jing , Liu Ye , Guan Zhiyong , Chen Sumei , Chen Fadi , Jiang Jiafu , Fang Weimin 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Chrysanthemum black spot disease is a common fungal disease caused by A. alternata, which has severely hindered the development of the chrysanthemum industry. However, there are few reports on pathogenic factors in A. alternata, especially regarding GPI-APs. In this study, we identified a GPI-AP, Aa049, from A. alternata. Bioinformatics predictions suggest the presence of a GPI anchoring modification site at the C-terminus of its amino acid sequence, which is relatively conserved among different Alternaria Nees. Transient overexpression of Aa049 in Nicotiana benthamiana can induce plant cell death (PCD), and the appearance of necrosis depends on its native signal peptide. Compared with the wild-type strain, the morphology and growth rate of the colony and mycelia of the ΔAa049 deletion mutants did not change. Still the integrity of the cell wall was damaged, and the virulence of the strain was significantly reduced, indicating that Aa049 plays an essential role as a pathogenic factor in the infection process of A. alternata. Furthermore, the results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and physiological indicators suggested that the virulence of Aa049 may be exerted through the synthesis and clearance pathways of ROS. This study reveals that GPI-APs in A. alternata can act as virulence factors to aid pathogen invasion, providing a potential target for the development of future biopesticides.
Immunolocalization and immunoexpression levels of the novel peptide phoenixin-14 and its receptor GPR173 in the gastrointestinal tract of calves and adult domestic cattle (Bos taurus taurus)
Authors: Kras Katarzyna , Osiak-Wicha Cezary , Arciszewski Marcin B. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Phoenixin (PNX), an ancient but newly discovered neuropeptide, is involved in various physiological processes, such as food intake, cardiovascular functions, reproductive functions, and stress regulation. The peptide is derived from the precursor protein small integral membrane protein 20 (SMIM20) and acts through the GPR173 receptor. Due to its relatively recent discovery in 2013, there is a gap in research regarding its localization in specific organs. There are no data in the literature concerning its location and level in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of domestic cattle, which are among the world's main livestock animals. Due to the fact that PNX exhibits a highly conserved structure across species, it is likely that it performs key functions in the body. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunolocalization and immunoexpression levels of PNX-14 and GPR173 in the GIT segments of calves and adult cattle. Study material, including GIT sections of two age groups, adults and calves of domestic cattle (n = 6), was obtained from a slaughterhouse. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed. Analyses revealed low levels of PNX-14 in the GIT of both age groups, with localization restricted to epithelial cells across all examined GIT segments. The highest levels were observed in the rumen and reticulum, higher in adults than in calves, whereas the levels in the abomasum and intestines were higher in calves than in adults. This distribution may result from the delayed development of forestomachs in calves. The higher level of GPR173 than PNX-14 and its broader distribution may suggest that PNX-14 is not the only ligand for this receptor. Overall, the results suggest that both peptides may play protective roles related to the immune response, regulate digestive and absorptive functions, and due to receptor presence in nerve fibres, may play a role in regulating GIT secretion and motility. These findings could potentially facilitate further research into the therapeutic potential of targeting PNX-14 and GPR173 in managing gastrointestinal disorders in domestic cattle and other species.
A Two-Stage Digital Damage Diagnosis Method for Traffic Marking Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Gu Zongwen , Wu Zhizhou , Liang Yunyi , Zhang Keya 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to realize the intelligent inspection of the damage degree of traffic marking. Therefore, a two-stage method based on deep learning is proposed, that is, traffic marking inpaint is performed first, and diagnosis is performed later, to ensure the data quality of digital diagnosis. Firstly, a arrow damaged traffic marking dataset is collected and created. In inpainting stage, Data-driven traffic marking inpainting model (TMIN-GAN) based on generative adversarial network (GAN) is constructed. An automatic labeling method is presented based on FE-Mask R-CNN to train TMIN-GAN. It generated the label relying on the mask generated by instance segmentation. In diagnosis stage, the damaged traffic markings and corresponding repaired images are processed using grayscale conversion, bilateral filtering, etc. Subsequently, the processed images are subjected to comparison using the Learned Perceptual Image Patch Similarity (LPIPS) evaluation metric. The experimental results demonstrate that traffic marking inpainting by the TMIN-GAN, compared by hand, reduces inpainting time from 10 seconds to milliseconds. This provides an excellent foundation for damage diagnosis. In TMIN-GAN training, the difference between PSNR value of the mask based on FE-Mask R-CNN and that of the manual annotation is only 2.35\%. This demonstrates the feasibility of automatic annotation based on FE-Mask R-CNN masks. Compared by PSNR and SSIM evaluation indicators, the rationality and superiority of using LPIPS for traffic marking damage diagnosis is demonstrated and get the range of divided damage levels.
Unveiling The Experiences of Operation Room Nurses on Ethical Issues: A phenomenological study in Adama Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Beriso Yohannes Midekso , Alemu Wudma , Mulugeta Tefera 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Operating room nurses face frequent ethical issues and as key members of health care team must go beyond mere awareness of ethical principles to make ethically sound decisions in complex and challenging environment. Immediate resolving of these issues helps mitigate moral distress and its associated symptoms, such as anxiety and decreased job satisfaction, while enhancing patient care. A deeper understanding of ethical issues in the OR will help tailor interventions and policies to address real-world challenges, improve patient care, and better support healthcare professionals.
Objective
This study explored the lived experiences of operating room nurses with ethical issues at Adama Hospital Medical College in Adama, Ethiopia, in 2022.
Method
A qualitative study using the hermeneutic phenomenological method was conducted at Adama Hospital Medical College from March 15, 2022 to April 15, 2022. Eighteen nurses were selected as participants using maximum variation purposive sampling. The data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data was then imported into Atlas Ti 8 software to be coded and categorized. To ensure trustworthiness, the basic principles were applied. Data analysis was conducted based on the Van Manen method and the results were summarized using thematic analysis.
Results
The study reveals two main themes and eight sub-themes regarding ethical issues faced by operating room nurses. The main themes were issues related with safeguarding patient dignity and professional commitments, while sub-themes include breaches of dignity, untruthful communication, overcrowded ORs, patient expectations, lack of informed consent, and breach of sterilization standards.
Conclusion
Upholding ethical principles and standards are critical for improving patient care and fostering positive relationships. Concepts like devotion to professional commitment, patient dignity, and collegial respect are crucial for participants. Addressing ethical concerns and ensuring compliance will enhance healthcare delivery in perioperative settings.
Evaluating nano- and microplastic particles as vectors of exposure for plastic additive chemicals using a food web model: Implications for risk to human health
Authors: Gouin Todd , Whelan Michael J. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Nano- and microplastic particles (NMPs) represent potential hazards for humans and wildlife, including as vectors for chemical exposure (including plastic additives and chemicals sorbed from the surrounding environment). The leaching of chemicals from NMPs has been identified as a potential exposure pathway but risks to human health under environmentally relevant conditions remain unclear. Here, we describe a modification of the ACC-HUMANSTEADY bioaccumulation model to include dietary exposure to NMPs containing either accumulated chemicals from the surrounding environment or embedded plastic additive chemicals (PACs). Chemical transfer to humans and wildlife is described using two-film resistance concepts assuming spheroidal or cylindrical particles of different sizes. The relative contribution of NMPs and environmental media to the estimated daily chemical intake in humans was assessed for various exposure scenarios, for both a range of hypothetical chemicals with varying physicochemical properties and four well-studied PACs [bisphenol-A; the plasticizer Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Phthalate (DEHP); the brominated flame retardant decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209); and a phenolic benzotriazole used as a UV-inhibitor in plastic, 2-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(2-methylbutan-2-yl)phenol (UV-328)]. Results imply that NMPs can act as sources of exposure to chemical additives when the ingestion rate of 1 µm NMPs is > 10 mg d− 1, and the concentration of hydrophobic plastic additive is > 5% wt wt− 1. The contribution made by NMPs as vectors of exposure decreased with increasing particle size and with decreasing ingestion rates. Human health risks for specific PACs are negligible when the ingestion rate of NMPs is < 100 µg d− 1. Data uncertainties are high regarding the characterization and quantification of the ingestion rates of NMPs by humans and wildlife, including the particle sizes and polymer composition, as well as on the presence of PACs in NMPs. These data gaps need to be addressed if the issue of NMPs as vectors of exposure to chemicals is to be fully understood. We suggest that mechanistic and holistic models represent efficient and effective tools to help prioritize research needs and support decision making.
Sector-Specific Supply and Demand Shocks: Joint Identification
Authors: Ivashchenko Sergey 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

This article proposes a technique for computing sign restrictions in large-scale models. The technique is applied to a Bayesian vector autoregression (BVAR) model with 16 industries (16 growth rates, 16 inflations), and the interest rate. The results demonstrate that the suggested technique can yield different implications for the density of relevant measures compared to the conventional random draw approach. Shocks identification is more accurate for suggested approach in experiments with simulated from DSGE model data. The usage of industry specific data and identification of demand and supply shock have large influence on identification of MP-shocks. It reveals important elements of transmission mechanics of monetary policy including differences in magnitude (up to 10–100 times) and shape of responses on MP-shocks, differences in historical decomposition, differences in importance of demand and supply shocks for interest rates dynamic. Variance decomposition shows decrease of relative importance of its own shocks to industries with switching from short-run to long-run decomposition. There are some similarities with input-output tables and some differences those open questions for future researches.
JEL-classification: C32, C51, E32, E52
Draft genome of Albugo candida Indian variant causing white rust in Brassica juncea unravel variations based on geographic distribution
Authors: Mehta Samridhi , Tomar Rakhi , Kumari Ankita , Rai Prajjwal , Yadava Yashwant Kumar , Rao Mahesh , Iyyappan Yuvaraj , Nallathambi P. , Bashyal Bishnu Maya , Akhtar Jamil , Meena Prabhu Dayal , Bhattacharya Ram Charan , Gupta Ashish Kumar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
White rust disease elicited by biotrophic pathogen, Albugo candida is a leading cause of yield losses in oilseed Brassica crops, especially widely cultivated B. juncea. The highly diverse nature of the A. candida pathogen and its ability to adapt to various agro-climatic conditions across the globe has posed significant challenges in effectively managing this disease. Therefore, development of a successful control strategy leveraging genomic data of the white rust pathogen is important because it can reveal profound insights into the identification of different forma specialis, phylogenetics, evolution patterns, population biology, secretome and pathogenesis thus, contributing to the oilseed cultivation in India and across the globe. In the present investigation, high quality draft genome of virulent Ac2v race of A. candida infecting B. juncea was generated by Nanopore and Illumina technologies.
Results
The raw sequencing data was assembled into a genome of 36.88 Mb with 415 scaffolds and N50 = 301.91kb. The variant analysis showed 1,24,974 SNPs with an average density of 3.3 per kb genome against Ac2vPB assembly. Approximately 24.29% of the genome consists of repetitive elements, including 1039 SSRs. A total number of 13,715 coding genes were revealed in the genome with an average distribution of 359.03 genes per Mb. Out of these predicted genes, 11,556 were annotated based on sequence homology and 355 were predicted as effectors with no transmembrane domain and N terminal signal peptide. The annotation of 355 effectors revealed that 141 of them had homologs, while rest 214 were novel. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis through average nucleotide identity revealed a similarity of 99.64% between the Canadian and Indian Ac2v isolate. Furthermore, 10 new contigs were identified in the Indian isolate that showed no sequence similarity to the Canadian isolate, suggesting variation within the race based on the geography.
Conclusion
Altogether, the present work provides genomic resources and framework for the dissection of this complex pathogen which will help refining our understanding of the Albugo-Brassica interaction.
Integrated GIS-Based MCDA and Machine Learning Techniques in Flood Susceptibility Mapping in Ala River Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Adedoyin Benson , Komolafe Akinola Adesuji , Nakalembe Catherine Lilian , Ismaila Racheal Opeyemi , Adebayo Adebowale Daniel , Babayemi Oluwaferanmi Enoch 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Flooding is a recognized form of natural disaster that can lead to loss of life, destruction of critical infrastructure with consequences impacting critical sectors including agriculture and health. This study aims to map out flood susceptible areas within the Ala River basin of Ondo State, Nigeria by integrating the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique and Support Vector Machines (SVM) Machine Learning (ML) model. Nineteen factors including elevation, slope, aspect, curvature (profile and plan), roughness, flow direction, flow accumulation, drainage density, distance from the river, TWI, STI, SPI, soil, geology, NDVI, NDMI, LULC, and rainfall were considered as input parameters. Flood susceptibility maps generated from each of these approaches were combined to create a more comprehensive flood susceptibility map of the study area. The AHP analysis has a consistency ratio of 1.8%. Precision, recall, f1-score, accuracy score, and ROC-AUC curve were used in evaluating the AHP-MCDA and SVM-ML model. Based on the evaluation, the combined flood susceptibility map result showed the best performance with the AUC score 0.74, SVM-ML with a score 0.73, and the AHP-MCDA having the least score of 0.59. As these results demonstrate, multiple approaches are required to mitigate flooding.
Boron Salicylate Ester Compounds as Boron Therapeutics. Their Synthesis, Structural Characterizations and Anticancer Effects Against MDA-MB-231
Authors: Bolat Melda , Köse Dursun Ali , Akbaba Sema 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The element boron forms a wide range of borate minerals with different properties. Borate minerals make it possible to design boron-containing molecules with new biological properties in terms of their chemical structure and properties. It is known that boron compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties. This makes boron compounds important for the future development of boron chemotherapeutics, boron supplements and new drugs. Reliable scientific studies on boron compounds will facilitate the clear presentation of their functions in its biological applications and metabolism. In this study, boron monoester and boron diester structures were synthesized with salicylic acid ligand. To stabilize boron ester structures, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ cations were used as counter-ions. Structural properties of the synthesized substances, molecules obtained by crystallization/precipitation from aqueous solutions in solid state, elemental analysis, melting point determination, infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), mass analysis (GC-MS) and single crystal analysis. Structural properties were tried to be explained by structure analysis (SC-XRD) methods. Additionally, the anticancer potential of boron salicylate esters against the MDA-MB-231 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line was examined. The K-B salicylate diester molecule was found to have the most potential potency with the lowest IC50 value against the MDA-MB-231 cell line. The anticancer potential of boron salicylate esters can be further investigated with other cancer models with the combination of anticancer drugs. It is also thought that the mechanism of action of these molecules may help reveal their further applications.
Exposure to a 0.9-GHz electromagnetic field on postnatal days 21-45 may trigger the renin-angiotensin system in male rat: a histological and biochemical study
Authors: Keleş Ayşe İkinci , Kaya Haydar , Keleş Gökhan , Erol Hüseyin Serkan , Mercantepe Tolga , ODACI Ersan 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and histological and biochemical changes occurring in the kidney tissue of male rats exposed to a 0.9 Gigahertz electromagnetic field (EMF). Twelve male rats aged 21 days were randomly assigned to control (C-Gr) and EMF (EMF-Gr) groups. No procedure was performed on C-Gr, while the EMF-Gr rats were exposed to a 0.9 Gigahertz EMF on postnatal days 21–45 (one hour a day for 25 days). Tissues were removed at the end of the experiment and evaluated using biochemical, histopathological, and stereological methods. Increased kidney tissue volume and weight and total body weight were determined in the group exposed to EMF. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase also increased in the kidney tissue of the EMF-Gr rats. Histopathological evaluation revealed cortical/medullary bleeding/obstruction and widespread fibrosis, dilatation, vacuolization, and degeneration in distal and proximal tubules, decreased and atypical parietal cells, and degeneration in epithelial cells. Additionally, dilated and degenerated glomeruli in the Malpighian body, Bowman’s membrane degeneration and degeneration in the vascular pole, podocyte, pedicel and mesangial cells were also observed. As a result of exposure to EMF, oxidative stress, tissue volume and weight increased, and histopathological changes caused the formation of a pathway that triggers RAS in kidney tissues. In conclusion, long-term exposure to 0.9 GHz EMF can activate the renin-angiotensin system in the rat kidney, and we think that such activation may be associated with structural, histopathological, and biochemical changes occurring in renal tissue.