Browse Articles

Identification and classification method of landslide pattern in the soil water index-based early warning system

The contribution of integrated and non-integrated pig farms to epidemiological dynamics of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Italy

Progress of chronic kidney disease and associated predictors among patients under treatment at Gambi and Felege-Hiwote hospitals

Using five exposure metrics to explore the association between ambient PM2.5 and the hospital admissions for COPD in Tianshui city, China

Dentists’ role in oral care for head and neck cancer patients in GCC countries

UPLC/MSn analysis of Bougainvillea glabra leaves and investigation of antioxidant activities and enzyme inhibitory properties

Abstract Bougainvillea glabra is a well-known and well-documented ornamental plant belonging to family Nyctaginaceae, always planted for its beautifully colored flowers. The current study was performed for profiling the metabolites of B. glabra leaf extract. Further, the leaf extract was evaluated using the total phenolic and total flavonoid assays and profiling using UPLC/MSn for the leaf extract’s secondary metabolites. The leaf extract was also subjected to several antioxidant assays, viz. DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, metal chelating, and phosphomolybdenum tests, as well as enzyme inhibition assays such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 27.68 mg GAE/g and 31.76 mg RE/g, respectively. Besides, twenty-one metabolites were tentatively identified and quantified, where flavonoids and phenolic acids constituted the most abundant classes of compounds. The molecular docking experimentss showed that the most abundant components, namely rhamnocitrin-O-rutinoside, sagerinic acid, tri-O-caffeoyl-shikimic acid, and chlorogenic acid, had the best scores when docked in the vicinity of the selected enzyme targets. The extract recorded a potentially powerful antioxidant activity, compared to the used standards, while it showed a good inhibitory effect against AChE (2.40 mg GALAE/g) and BChE (1.95 mg GALAE/g). The tyrosinase-inhibiting effect was 48.23 mg CAE/g. The amylase and glucosidase inhibitory effects were 0.30 mmol ACAE/g and 0.03 mmol ACAE/g, respectively. Thus, this study suggests that B. glabra may not only act as an ornamental plant, but also it may be a promising source for effective phytochemicals that act as antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors, which may play a role in reversing the aging process and age-related ailments like diabetes.

Assessing carbon–neutral supercapacitors in renewable energy systems with self-improving agent-based molecular fuzzy intelligent algorithms

Acoustic standing wave driven bubble dynamics in Oldroyd-B fluids using a semi analytical approach

Application of concentrated solar energy in postprocessing of selective laser melted Ti6Al4V alloy through simultaneously gas nitriding and heat treatment

The impact of embedded global innovation networks on manufacturing value chains

Using machine learning to forecast conflict events for use in forced migration models

Abstract Forecasting the movement of populations during conflict outbreaks remains a significant challenge in contemporary humanitarian efforts. Accurate predictions of displacement patterns are crucial for improving the delivery of aid to refugees and other forcibly displaced individuals. Over the past decade, generalized modeling approaches have demonstrated their ability to effectively predict such movements, provided that accurate estimations of conflict dynamics during the forecasting period are available. However, deriving precise conflict forecasts remains difficult, as many existing methods for conflict prediction are overly coarse in their spatial and temporal resolution, rendering them inadequate for integration with displacement models. In this paper, we propose a hybrid methodology to enhance the accuracy of conflict-driven population displacement forecasts by combining machine learning-based conflict prediction with agent-based modeling (ABM). Our approach uses a coupled model that combines a Random Forest classifier for conflict forecasting with the Flee ABM—a model of the movements of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The coupled model is validated using case studies from historical conflicts in Mali, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. Our results demonstrate comparable predictive accuracy over traditional methods without the need for manual conflict estimations in advance, thus reducing the effort and expertise needed for humanitarian professionals to provide urgent displacement forecasts.

Efficient temporary pollen storage techniques for quality kiwifruit production

A fast retrieval method for multilevel redundant data in grid resource business middle office based on improved decision tree algorithm

High prevalence of vector-borne protozoa and bacteria in dogs from Chad determined using a targeted next-generation sequencing approach

Comparison of performance of cervical cancer grading based on acetowhite areas

Emerging applications of sustainable modified CdO/Ag-CdO NPs for electrochemical sensitive and selective detection of mercury (Hg+) heavy metal

Characteristics of soil organic nitrogen fractions under vegetation restoration in karst areas

Abstract To understand the characteristics of soil organic nitrogen fractions under vegetation restoration in karst areas, soil samples from grassland (5-year-old), shrub-grassland (15-year-old), shrubland (20-year-old) and forestland (40-year-old) were taken as the research objects. The Bremner acid—hydrolysis method was used to determine the soil nitrogen fractions, and the correlations between them and soil physical and chemical properties were analyzed. The results showed that with the increase of soil depth, the mass fractions of soil total nitrogen (TN), non-acid-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AIN), acid-hydrolyzable nitrogen (TAN) and their various components all showed a downward trend. The mass fractions of various organic nitrogen components and their proportions in TN from large to small were as follows: AIN, acid-hydrolyzable unknown nitrogen (TUN), acid-hydrolyzable ammonia nitrogen (AMN), acid-hydrolyzable amino acid nitrogen (AAN), acid-hydrolyzable amino sugar nitrogen (ASN). TUN and AMN were likely the main sources of available nitrogen for plant uptake and utilization. The contents of both TAN and AIN increased significantly with the increase of TN content (P < 0.001). However, vegetation restoration increased the proportion of AIN and decreased the proportion of TAN. Among them, the 15-year-old shrubland had outstanding soil nitrogen-supplying capacity, while there was no significant difference in soil nitrogen-supplying potential among different restoration years. Soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen were all extremely significantly (P < 0.001) positively correlated with soil organic nitrogen fractions. The changes in the characteristics of organic nitrogen fractions affected the soil nitrogen supply and storage capacity. The results of this study can provide a reference for nutrient management during the restoration of degraded soils.

Three-dimensional tooth morphology in patients with tooth agenesis and its association to agenesis pattern, severity, and sex

Abstract Non-syndromic tooth agenesis (TA) can affect both the size and shape of teeth and may interact with sex. This study aimed to advance our understanding of tooth developmental mechanisms by constructing a multifactorial model integrating 3D dental morphology, TA patterns, severity, and sex differences. Digital dental models of 255 Japanese individuals (control: 187; TA: 68) were analyzed. We assessed the contributions of size and shape to sex- and TA-related differences in maxillary central incisors (UI) and first molars (UM) using surface distance mapping and a tooth agenesis-associated shape difference (TAShD) analysis. Additionally, permutation tests were conducted to evaluate the relationship between sex- and TA-associated morphological variation. TA patterns were further classified using k-means clustering, and their associations with 3D tooth morphology were examined. Surface distance maps revealed TA-related morphological traits in both UI and UM, including generalized size reduction, altered cingulum morphology, and diminished distolingual cusps. The TAShD analysis indicated that TA and sex independently influenced tooth shape, although both contributed to size variation. Three distinct TA patterns were identified: Cluster 1 (premolar agenesis) exhibited size reduction without significant shape changes; Cluster 2 (incisor and canine agenesis) showed alterations in both the size and shape of the UI; and Cluster 3 (agenesis of canines, premolars, and second molars) presented with size reduction and shape abnormalities, particularly in the UM. These morphological distinctions across clusters reflect the independent effects of TA and sex on the dental morphology. Collectively, these findings highlight the presence of distinct TA patterns and their associated shape characteristics, thereby offering novel insights into the multifactorial nature of tooth development.

Good neighbours transfer nucleotides

A new late Pleistocene fossil crocodile from Sudan reveals hidden diversity of Crocodylus in Africa

Abstract While Crocodylus fossils are common in late Cenozoic deposits of Africa, there is a lack of knowledge about species diversity within the genus, especially after the Early Pleistocene. Here we report on a complete skull of a new fossil Crocodylus from the Late Pleistocene of the Middle Atbara River, eastern Sudan. Cranial morphology resembles Plio-Pleistocene species of Crocodylus from Africa in having upturned squamosals, though not as prominently developed as in these species, whereas the skull differs from fossil and extant Crocodylus in having a vaulted sagittal boss on the dorsal surface of the rostrum, and in the absence of a supraoccipital exposure on the dorsal skull table. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the Atbara Crocodylus represents a separate species and is more closely related to the fossil African crocodiles than the extant forms. The new species represents the first fossil Crocodylus to be described from the Late Pleistocene of Africa, providing new information on the occurrences and diversification of the genus Crocodylus during the Late Pleistocene.