bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and evaluation of acaricidal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles against phytophagous and predatory mites in bell pepper cultivation
Authors: Al-Azzazy Mahmoud M , Alhewairini Saleh S , Gheni Sherif B. Abdel , Qureshi Muhammad Zahid 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Bell Pepper plants are widely grown and utilized all over the world. A number of phytophagous mites are associated with this plant and the control over these pests has been a challenge to growers due to its development of resistance to synthetic chemicals and short reproduction cycle. The agriculture sector is currently embracing nanotechnology as a target-specific, relatively safe, and effective alternative to traditional pest management tools. The main goal of undertaking the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different doses (200, 400, 600, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) at all growth stages of the mites; Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Simultaneous impacts on predatory mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was also observed. All trails were carried out under field and laboratory conditions. The obtained results have shown that an increase in zinc oxide nanoparticle concentrations was related to a higher mortality rate of both phytophagous mites. While negligible impact on N. cucumeris and E. scutalis was observed. zinc oxide nanoparticles demonstrated great efficacy in eliminating P. latus and T. urticae. The percentages of deaths were 25.59, 42.36, 56.43, 72.02, 85.47 and 97.07% for P. latus and 22.61, 39.79, 52.66, 69.35, 82.22 and 95.24% for T. urticae, while the mortality percentage was 1.78, 3.60, 4.44, 15.30, 16.67 and 19.59% for N. cucumeris and 3.68, 5.33, 7.21, 17.92 and 20.26% for E. scutalis three days after exposure to 200, 400, 600, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm of zinc oxide nanoparticles, respectively. Additionally, the findings showed that the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles reduced the percentage of egg hatching. The percentages of eggs that hatch into larvae were 79.33, 69.51, 62.66, 46.54, 43.62 and 39.08% for P. latus and 83.17, 71.60, 67.26, 48.94, 46.95 and 38.26 for T. urticae three days after exposure to 200, 400, 600, 1000, 1250 and 1500 ppm of zinc oxide nanoparticles respectively, compared with the control (well water). Lethal concentration; LC50 (µg/ml) at confidence level 95 (CL95) was found to be 556.4 and 611.8 for P. latus and T. urticae and 2304.6 and 2259.7 for N. cucumeris and E. scutalis. Similarly, LC95 (µg/ml) was found to be 1325.9 and 1404.9 for P. latus and T. urticae and 33671.2 and 3773.8 for N. cucumeris and E. scutalis. The investigation proved that zinc oxide nanoparticles are a useful tool for controlling P. latus and T. urticae.
Knowledge，attitudes and practices related to AIDS among transgender women in Chongqing，China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tan Yangxi , Yang Jiajie , Cui Yuting , Zhou Hailong , Zhao Jing , Ouyang Lin , Zhou Chao , Chen Fei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background: Transgender women (MTF) are one of the key populations for HIV prevention and control and one of the high-risk groups for lack of health services. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about HIV and knowledge access and needs among transgender women in Chongqing, China.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to August 2023, in which 128 self-identified MTF were recruited in Chongqing, China, using snowball sampling to complete a KAP-related questionnaire via Questionnaire Star.
Results: For the 128 MTF effectively surveyed, the total knowledge of AIDS-related knowledge was 82.03%, with significant differences in age, education level, marital status, occupation and average monthly income (P<0.05); personal attitudes towards AIDS, with significant differences in place of domicile and education level (P<0.05), and subjective norms, with significant difference (P<0.05); there was no statistical difference between the groups of HIV-related practices. Corresponding values were assigned to knowledge, attitude and practice, and the total scores of the three aspects were 6.77±1.47 (95% CI: 3.89-9.65) (range: 0~ 8), 14.22±2.37 (95% CI: 9.57-18.87) (range: 0~ 18) and 6.66±1.79 (95% CI: 3.16-10.17) (range: 0~ 9), respectively. The main ways of acquiring HIV knowledge in MTF were "Internet/smartphone" (81.68%), "TV/radio" (49.62%), "education on HIV prevention topics in school" (48.09%); more likely to receive publicity activities "WeChat push" (58.02%), "peer education" (44.27%) and "mobile phone app management" (37.40%); and more likely to receive publicity activities "Internet/smartphone" (81.68%), "TV/radio" (49.62%) and "school education on AIDS prevention" (48.09%). "(37.40%); the points of knowledge about AIDS that need to be strengthened include "means of transmission" (71.76%) and "knowledge of voluntary counselling and testing" (67.94%), "Knowledge of the virus" (64.89%).
Conclusions: There is still room for improvement in the knowledge rate of AIDS among MTF in Chongqing, China, and there is a separation between knowledge and behaviour; attitudes towards AIDS are more positive, and the awareness of prevention is stronger; pay attention to the middle-aged, low-income and low educated groups in MTF, and further strengthen health education and publicity on AIDS from the perspective of knowledge acquisition ways and needs.
IoT-based Smart Drip Irrigation Scheduling and Wireless Monitoring of Microclimate in Sweet Corn Crop under Plastic Mulching
Authors: s Vinod Kumar , Singh C D , Rao K V Ramana , Rajwade Yogesh A , Kumar Mukesh , D. Jawaharlal , R Asha K 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Precision irrigation with IoT-based decision-making technologies has proven effective in optimizing agricultural production irrigation. The Internet of Things (IoT) is crucial for monitoring the real-time data from sensors and automatically activating irrigation systems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a drip irrigation system based on IoT and soil moisture sensors in a field experiment with sweet corn between 2020 and 2022. There were nine treatments with three replications: ETc-based drip irrigation (ETc 100%) and IoT-based drip irrigation scheduling with two soil moisture levels under three mulches: black plastic mulch, silver plastic mulch, and control (bare soil). IoT-based drip irrigation scheduling (100% FC) applied irrigation when soil moisture reached a lower threshold (≤ 33.1%) and ended when the field capacity was reached (≥ 43.5). With IoT-based drip irrigation scheduling (80% FC), irrigation was applied when the soil moisture content reached the threshold (≤ 33.1%) and ended when the field capacity reached 80% (≥ 34.8). Growth variables (root biomass, yield, corn length, cob weight, and water productivity) were compared for each irrigation method. Results showed that the ET-based irrigation method was easier to implement with less infrastructure and could result in lower yields than the IoT-based drip irrigation method with 100% FC. Grain and stalk yields increased by more than 12.05% and 14.97% for the IoT irrigation with 100% FC. It was found that IoT-based drip irrigation with 100% FC and 80% FC used 12.7% and 24.5% less irrigation water, respectively, and provided IoT-based drip irrigation with 100% FC, there was a 12.8% increase in marketable yield than ETc and IoT-based drip irrigation with 80% FC. The results show that the developed IoT system can potentially monitor the microclimate of plants in real time under different conditions of using plastic mulch. The IoT system is rugged and water-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor agriculture. Solar panels power the system, so there is no need for cabling and sensor nodes can be efficiently monitored. Research conducted on the IoT system shows that it can record and display environmental parameters to users via the cloud (ThingSpeak).
Sequencing and Characterization of NDM-1 and ORN-1 -Producing Multi-drug resistant Raoultella ornithinolytica Clinical Isolate from China
Authors: Yu Chunfang , Wang Zuhua , Wu Lingling , Liu Long , Sha Longhua , Yan Tingwei , Tuo Juan , Cao Guangxin , Wang Jinlei , Li Jinpeng , Wang Pei , Liu Xingyu , Zhou Zhipei , Liu Zhixin , Jin Zhixiong 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background Raoultella ornithinolytica poses an urgent threat in antimicrobial resistance threat due to its global emergence, associated high mortality rates, and persistent transmissions. Nevertheless, the resistance and infectivity mechanism, as well as genomic epidemiology, remain poorly understood at present. To elucidate the antibiotic resistance and infectivity mechanisms of R. ornithinolytica, whole genome sequencing was performed on a multi-drug-resistance strain, R. ornithinolytica B1645-1B, isolated from an inpatient.
Methods The genome sequence was completed using Illumina Hiseq 4000 and Pacbio RSII procedures. Phylogenetic genomic analysis, combined with a geographical region, isolation source, and host information. The conjugation transfer experiment were performed using the mating-out assay in the intestine of mice.
Results The isolate B1645-1B was resistant to five major classes of antibacterial agents including β-lactams, aminoglycosides, chloramphenicols, sulfonamides, and quinolones, but sensitive to tetracyclines. A close phylogenetic relationship was identified between B1645-1B, isolated from blood, and R. ornithinolytica NCTC9164, isolated from pus of the nose, in United Kingdom. A chromosome, designated as chromosome 01, was identified. The annotated chromosomal genome contained 127 genes that were potentially involved in virulence, disease and defense. The isolate B1645-1B contained chromosome-encoded β-lactamase blaORN-1, and plasmid-encoded metallo-β-lactamase blaNDM-1, respectively. A resistance region, designated B1645-1B-RR, carrying the β-lactamase blaORN-1 gene on the chromosome, was identified. The prophage analysis revealed that chromosome 01 contained three intact prophages. The occurrence of the blaORN-1 gene might transfer from R. ornithinolytica B1645-1B to Escherichia coli B1645-1B1 and Klebsiella pneumoniae B1645-1B11 in mice.
Conclusions The genomic analysis of R. ornithinolytica B1645-1B partially elucidated its antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence factors. Patients at high risk for drug-resistant R. ornithinolytica might require novel therapeutic strategies.
FLAP: A Semi-Supervised Few-Shot Learning Algorithm via Pseudo-Labeling
Authors: Yan Xin , Ma Zhiqiang , Liang Xijun , Chen Yuelin , Jian Ling , Song Yunquan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Few-shot learning addresses the challenge of training models with limited samples, striving to achieve robust classification performance with only a few examples, particularly for novel objects. One challenging aspect of few-shot learning is the cross-domain learning scenario, characterized by significant differences in data distribution between the target and source domains. To bridge this gap and improve domain adaptation, we introduce unlabeled samples from new categories within the target domain during training. Our proposed semi-supervised few-shot classification algorithm, FLAP, employs clustering methods to predict labels for unlabeled samples, enabling it to adapt to new unlabeled categories. We have also integrated a distance-based loss to consider clustering characteristics during the training of feature encoders and classifiers. This approach, combined with the symmetric cross-entropy loss, ensures robustness against incorrect labels introduced during pseudo-labeling. Experimental studies validate the effectiveness of our method, demonstrating significant accuracy improvements across various cross-domain and domain-constrained few-shot learning tasks.
Robust Planning of Irrigation Considering Water Consumption and Revenue
Authors: Turgut Ozgu 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Water scarcity is a problem for many regions which requires immediate action and solutions cannot be postponed for a long time. It is known that farming consumes a significant portion of usable water. In this study, a decision support model of bi-objective stochastic linear formulation is proposed. The model is generating annual planting plans together with water consumption projections for each farmer in the region while taking revenue of the overall harvest into account. The structure of the proposed model maintains robustness against the volatilities in precipitation, yield, and market price. The inherent trade-off between water consumption and revenue lends itself to multi-objective planning. This is a perspective especially useful for regional administrations to plan next year's crop pattern together with agricultural incomes and irrigation expenses. Furthermore, it is also shown that how the model can be used to investigate the potential of rainwater harvesting or switching to water-efficient irrigation methodologies. The decision support model is especially unique in the sense that it can generate a set of Pareto optimum solutions as opposed to a single objective counterpart. This property is helpful in terms of not only providing a broader perspective to evaluate and project the possibilities but also increasing the applicability of the results by providing flexible design framework.
Withdrawn: Evaluation of prospective surface water potential zones and their suitability for drinking purposes in Mahanadi River Basin, Odisha (India)
Authors: Das Abhijeet 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
AQUA — Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society issues a formal withdrawal in relation to the above article by Abhijeet Das. This decision has been taken as the authors failed to address satisfactorily concerns over the originality of the research.
The hydraulic characteristics of a subsurface flow stone biofilter for treating polluted runoff from an informal settlement
Authors: Maraj Kalpana , Winter Kevin , Harrison Susan T. L. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT
Polluted runoff from informal settlements in developing countries poses a growing challenge due to the elevated and variable nature of contaminants, particularly nutrients and pathogens, introduced to the environment. Cost-effective and scalable treatment systems with the ability to reduce nutrient and other pollutant concentrations in contaminated runoff are desirable. Biofilters are passive water treatment systems that have the potential to achieve this. The Franschhoek Water Hub, a research site for nature-based solutions, features six large biofiltration cells designed to remediate runoff from an informal settlement. Due to their large size, understanding hydraulic behaviour and validating the design proves challenging. To address this, a scaled-down version of the Water Hub's biofilters was constructed to inform design criteria for purpose-built filters. The pilot-scale subsurface flow biofilter, filled with 8–11 mm aggregate stone, had an available volume of 225 L. Pulse tracer studies conducted at various flow rates demonstrated that the system approximated plug flow behaviour. Lower flow rates resulted in deeper tracer infiltration, which is crucial for maximising the distribution of nutrients within the filter bed. This research contributes to the effective design and operation of biofiltration systems, which hold promise for addressing surface water contamination issues in resource-constrained regions.
Novel Natural Inhibitors for Glioblastoma by Targeting Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: Ullah Atta , Ullah Saeed , Waqas Muhammad , Khan Majid , Rehman Najeeb Ur , Khalid Asaad , Jan Afnan , Aziz Shahkaar , Naeem Muhammad , Halim Sobia Ahsan , Khan Ajmal , Al-Harrasi Ahmed 
Published: April 2024

Background/Aim:
Glioblastoma is an extensively malignant neoplasm of the
brain that predominantly impacts the human population. To address the challenge of
glioblastoma, herein, we have searched for new drug-like candidates by extensive computational
and biochemical investigations.

Methods:
Approximately 950 compounds were virtually screened against the two most
promising targets of glioblastoma, i.e., epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and
phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Based on highly negative docking scores, excellent
binding capabilities and good pharmacokinetic properties, eight and seven compounds
were selected for EGFR and PI3K, respectively.

Results:
Among those hits, four natural products (SBEH-40, QUER, QTME-12, and
HCFR) exerted dual inhibitory effects on EGFR and PI3K in our in-silico analysis;
therefore, their capacity to suppress the cell proliferation was assessed in U87 cell line
(type of glioma cell line). The compounds SBEH-40, QUER, and QTME-12 exhibited
significant anti-proliferative capability with IC50 values of 11.97 ± 0.73 μM, 28.27 ±
1.52 μM, and 22.93 ± 1.63 μM respectively, while HCFR displayed weak inhibitory potency
(IC50 = 74.97 ± 2.30 μM).

Conclusion:
This study has identified novel natural products that inhibit the progression
of glioblastoma; however, further examinations of these molecules are required in animal
and tissue models to better understand their downstream targeting mechanisms.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Development, Evaluation, and Future Prospects
of Self-nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems for Poorly Water-soluble
Drugs
Authors: Chauhan Abhishek , Kamal Raj , Mishra Ritika , Shekho Devank , Awasthi Ankit 
Published: April 2024

Abstract::
Self-Nano Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems (SNEDDS) are novel formulations that can enhance
the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. SNEDDS are composed of lipids, surfactants,
co-solvents, and drugs and can spontaneously form nanoemulsions when mixed with water under mild agitation.
SNEDDS can be formulated as liquid or solid dosage forms and can improve drug absorption by increasing
the interfacial area, protecting the drug from degradation, and facilitating lymphatic transport. SNEDDS is
characterized by various parameters such as particle size, zeta potential, droplet morphology, emulsification efficiency,
drug solubility, and stability. SNEDDS offers several advantages over conventional dosage forms,
such as dose reduction, faster onset of action, reduced variability, versatility, and ease of formulation. However,
SNEDDS also face some limitations and challenges, such as drug precipitation, cost-effectiveness, compatibility
with capsule shells, and lack of predictive in vitro models. SNEDDS has a promising future in the field
of pharmaceuticals, especially for personalized medicine and targeted drug delivery.
Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Analysis and Molecular Dynamics
Simulation of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Junrui , Wu Zhuoqing , Chen Xiaolei , Sun Ying , Ma Shuyao , Weng Jingdan , Zhang Yuxin , Dong Keke , Shao Jiangjuan , Zheng Shizhong 
Published: April 2024

Background:
Traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria Baicalensis (SB), one of the clinical firstline
heat-clearing drugs, has obvious symptomatic advantages for hepatic fibrosis with dampness-heat stasis as
its syndrome. We aim to predict and validate the potential mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients
against liver fibrosis more scientifically and effectively.

Methods:
The underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was studied by
applying network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Expression levels of
markers in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) after administration of three Scutellaria baicalensis extracts
were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively, in order to verify the anti-fibrosis effect of
the active ingredients

Results:
There are 164 common targets of drugs and diseases screened and 115 signaling pathways obtained,
which were mainly associated with protein phosphorylation, senescence and negative regulation of the apoptotic
process. Western blot and Real-time PCR showed that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts could reduce the expression
of HSC activation markers, and Oroxylin A had the strongest inhibitory effect on it. Molecular docking
results showed that Oroxylin A had high binding activity to target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation
demonstrates promising stability of the Oroxylin A-AKT1 complex over the simulated MD time of 200
ns.

Conclusion:
Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients may inhibit HSC proliferation, reduce the generation of
pro-inflammatory factors and block the anti-inflammatory effect of inflammatory signal transduction by inducing
HSC apoptosis and senescence, thus achieving the effect of anti-fibrosis.
The Necroptotic Process-related Signature Predicts Immune Infiltration and Drug Sensitivity in Kidney Renal Papillary Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Wenfeng , Xue Ruizhi , Ueki Hideo , Huang Peng 
Published: April 2024

Background:
It remains controversial whether the current subtypes of kidney renal papillary
cell carcinoma (KIRP) can be used to predict the prognosis independently.

Objective:
This observational study aimed to identify a risk signature based on necroptotic process-
related genes (NPRGs) in KIRP.

Methods:
In the training cohort, LASSO regression was applied to construct the risk signature
from 158 NPRGs, followed by the analysis of Overall Survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier
method. The signature accuracy was evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC)
curve, which was further validated by the test cohort. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the expressions
of immune-related genes, neoantigen genes, and immune infiltration between different
risk groups, while the correlation test was performed between NPRGs expressions and drug sensitivity.
Gene set enrichment analysis was used to investigate the NPRGs' signature’s biological
functions.

Results:
We finally screened out 4-NPRGs (BIRC3, CAMK2B, PYGM, and TRADD) for constructing
the risk signature with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) reaching about 0.8. The risk
score could be used as an independent OS predictor. Consistent with the enriched signaling, the
NPRGs signature was found to be closely associated with neoantigen, immune cell infiltration,
and immune-related functions. Based on NPRGs expressions, we also predicted multiple drugs potentially
sensitive or resistant to treatment.

Conclusion:
The novel 4-NPRGs risk signature can predict the prognosis, immune infiltration,
and therapeutic sensitivity of KIRP.
Ligand-based Molecular Modeling of HDL Receptor SR-BI Inhibitors as Potent Anti-hyperlipidemic Agents
Authors: Verma Swati , Paliwal Sarvesh 
Published: April 2024

Introduction:
The High-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor, Scavenger receptor class B,
type I (SRBI) plays a crucial role in lipoprotein metabolism, cholesterol homeostasis, and atherosclerosis.
In the present study, a quantitative structure-activity relationship study (QSAR) investigation
was conducted on a data set of 31 novel indolinyl thiazole-based inhibitors of SR-BI mediated lipid
uptake.

Methods:
To build the QSAR model, Multiple linear regression analysis (MLR), partial least square
analysis (PLS), and neural analysis (NN) were performed which were further evaluated internally as
well as externally for the prediction of activity. The best QSAR model for MLR was selected with a
correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.937, cross-validation r2cv of 0.908, and a standard error (S) value of
0.253. For PLS, r2 was 0.937 and for FFNN r2 was 0.961 (for the training set). This was further
evaluated externally by a test set having r2 values 0.870 (MLR), 0.863(PLS), and 0.933(neural network)
analysis.

Results:
The final model comprised hydrophobic parameters (Lipole Z component) and steric parameters
(molar refractivity and K alpha2 index).

Conclusion:
All these descriptors generated comparable results which prove that the model generated
is sound and has good predictability.