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Analyzing land suitability for key cereal crops in Mansa Watershed, Southwest Ethiopia
This study is vital for helping farmers to produce appropriate crops based on physical land suitability and for assisting land use planners in decision-making. Large-scale crop production is essential to supply raw materials for industries, focusing on areas with high production potential to boost yields and meet growing demand. However, physical land suitability analysis for major cereal crops is lacking in Mansa Watershed of Southwest Ethiopia. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the physical land suitability for key crops such as wheat, maize, and teff. Utilizing the FAO land evaluation framework, the study employed various data sets, including Sentinel-2A satellite images, soil data, climate information, and elevation models, to determine suitability factors. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used for pairwise comparison of parameters, while Geographic Information System (GIS) software’s weighted overlay tool was applied to evaluate suitability for the specified crops. A vector overlay was utilized for land allocation for each crop. The analysis considered ten criteria: soil pH, depth, texture, drainage, organic matter, slope, altitude, rainfall, temperature, and land use change. Results indicated that approximately 29.6%, 61%, and 50% of the study area were moderately suitable for maize, teff, and wheat production, respectively. Additionally, 52.8%, 38.8%, and 13.9% of the area were marginally suitable for these crops, while 17.6% and 36% of the area were unsuitable for maize and wheat, respectively. Overall, 44% of the land was moderately suitable, and 10% was marginally suitable for the selected crops. Notably, there were no areas classified as highly suitable; most lands were identified as moderately or marginally suitable. Moving forward, sustainable land management practices are necessary to enhance land suitability and improve soil health. Further analyses should also consider irrigation facilities, market access, and processing industries to provide more options for stakeholders and policymakers.
Noncanonical terpene cyclases for the biosynthesis of diterpenoids regulating chlamydospore formation in plant-associated Trichoderma
A multistrategy improved hunger games search algorithm
Seismic slope stability analysis using modified pseudo dynamic method with uniform random field of initial phases
This paper develops an enhanced pseudo dynamic method for conducting seismic stability analysis of slopes. The enhancement is justified by the development of uniform sampling approach and the incorporation of both different and correlated initial phases through a uniform random field. The advanced methodology, named by modified pseudo dynamic Bishop method (MPDBM) is verified against the existing research results and extended to homogeneous soil slope with different scales emphasizing the effect of scale of fluctuation on the minimum factor of safety (FSmin). The numerical results demonstrate that the identical assumption on initial phases in the traditional pseudo dynamic method underestimates the FSmin as compared to the current method considering the spatial variability of initial phases for the cases where the slope soil is subjected to its natural frequency. This underestimation grows significant as the slope scale enlarges.
The association between systemic inflammation, lung function and respiratory symptoms in the BOLD study in Northern Europe
Abstract The role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases is increasingly recognized, but the relationship between individual inflammatory markers, lung function and respiratory symptoms is not well established. We studied 1,238 adults participating in the first follow-up of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) cohort study in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Estonia in 2019–2021. Systemic inflammation was assessed using total white blood cell (WBC) count and WBC sub-populations (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)). In regression models adjusted for gender, age, smoking status, body mass index and study site, all WBC sub-populations, except for lymphocytes, were associated with chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) and wheeze. In never smokers, increased neutrophils were associated with reduced lung volumes (FEV1 β coef. with 95%CI -1.95 (-3.33, -0.57) p = 0.006; FVC − 1.94 (-3.18, -0.69) p = 0.002), but not CAO. Only increased basophils were associated with CAO in never smokers (OR with 95%CI 2.70 (1.28, 5.72) p = 0.009). In former smokers, increased neutrophils, monocytes and eosinophils were significantly associated with reduced FEV1, reduced FVC, CAO and wheeze. In current smokers, inflammatory markers were associated with cough (neutrophils OR with 95%CI 1.49 (1.10, 2.01) p = 0.010; monocytes 1.24 (0.99, 1.55) p = 0.058; basophils 2.56 (1.12, 5.86) p = 0.026). Systemic inflammation may be related to both obstructive and restrictive respiratory impairment in the general population, with associations that vary by smoking status.
The association between cadmium exposure and lung cancer risk: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Cadmium (Cd), a toxic heavy metal, is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Epidemiological studies suggested a potential link between cadmium exposure and lung cancer risk, but evidence has remained inconsistent, particularly regarding differences between occupational and general populations. This protocol will outline a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the association between cadmium exposure (via blood, urine, hair, or environmental samples) and lung cancer risk. Methods This study protocol will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Medline, and Cochrane databases will identify observational studies published from inception to December 2024. Two reviewers will independently screen studies, extract data, and assess the quality of included using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). We will harmonize data to calculate pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Random-effects model is anticipated for high-heterogeneous results, while fixed-effects model will be adopted for low- heterogeneous results. Sub-group analyses (e.g., population type (general/occupational), geographic region, year of publication), sensitivity analyses, and assessments of publication bias (Egger’s test, funnel plots) will be conducted to ensure the robustness and reliability of the findings. The analyses will be conducted via RevMan 5.3 and STATA 15 software. Discussion This protocol will guide the standard process of the systematic review, providing synthesized evidence on the short-, and long-term effect of cadmium on lung risk in general and occupational populations. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide synthesized evidence regarding cadmium exposure with lung cancer risk in both occupational and general populations. The evidence obtained in this study can inform the public and the policy-making bodies. Register on PROSPERO CRD42024527248.
Effects of enteral nutrition protocols on nutritional indicators and prognosis in neurological ICU patients: a randomized controlled trial
Application of transthoracic echocardiography to assess the dynamic evolution of early cardiac damage induced by abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava fistula in female rats with chronic renal failure
Objective Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) frequently occurs in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) who have an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). In a rat model of CRF with AVF, we assessed the utility of transthoracic echocardiography for the early detection of LVD and examined the associated pathological damage. Methods Forty female rats that had successfully established a CRF model were divided into three groups: the CRF group (n = 13), the sham group (n = 13), and the AVF group (n = 14). The AVF was established (labeled as T0). Renal function and myocardial enzyme parameters were measured at T0, the 4th week (labeled as T1), and the 6th week (labeled as T2). The parameters of echocardiography were measured with an animal ultrasound device (Vevo 3100). The early diastolic peak flow velocity (E) was divided by the mitral valve’s E wave deceleration time (DT), to calculate the E/DT ratio. TOMTEC image analysis software was utilized to analyze the LV’s global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS). At each time point, three rats from each group were euthanized, and the left ventricular pathological tissues were collected for HE and Masson staining. Results (1) At T1, the AVF group had no significant difference in GLS, although GCS and the E/DT ratio increased. At T2, the AVF showed lower GLS and GCS and a higher E/DT ratio. (2) Significant alterations were observed in AVF group tissues stained with HE and Masson at T1 and T2. Conclusions This study found that pathological damage to the left ventricular myocardium persisted after the rat model was established. Unlike traditional echocardiography measurements, GLS, GCS, and the E/DT ratio can detect dynamic changes in left ventricular function.
Exploring the characters of sperm lipid peroxidation, enzymatic antioxidant activity, and spermatozoa zona binding capacity with aging in dogs
Using intervention mapping to evaluate ‘High-Alert,’ a brief smartphone intervention to reduce youth cannabis-impaired driving
Youth driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is a growing public health concern. While brief smartphone interventions have shown promise in reducing substance use and alcohol-impaired driving among youth, their efficacy for DUIC remains limited. Using the six-step Intervention Mapping framework, we developed and tested High Alert, a digital smartphone intervention designed to reduce DUIC among high-risk Canadian youth. The intervention was previously tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing High Alert to an active control (exposure to six DUIC infographics) and a passive control (no contact). This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of High Alert using Step 6 of the Intervention Mapping framework. Reporting on this evaluation serves as a practical guide for researchers utilizing Intervention Mapping, offering valuable insights into High Alert’s formative, process, outcome, and acceptability evaluations to enhance DUIC prevention efforts. Formative and acceptability evaluations revealed High Alert’s positive reception among youth, with most participants willing to engage with it and recommend it to their peers. The program received high ratings for content and delivery, surpassing the static infographics used in the active control. Outcome evaluations demonstrated preliminary efficacy in reducing DUIC behaviour, particularly driving after cannabis co-use, compared to the no-contact group. Process evaluations highlighted implementation challenges, including online study bot activity, recruitment barriers (e.g., participant skepticism, limited ad targeting options), high attrition rates, and low adherence. Findings highlight the importance of Step 6 in Intervention Mapping, emphasizing the need for transparent and rigorous evaluation to inform future interventions. Addressing recruitment and implementation challenges is essential for improving the scalability and effectiveness of interventions targeting high-risk behaviours such as DUIC and will inform High Alert’s future testing.
The Escherichia coli replication initiator DnaA is titrated on the chromosome
Abstract DNA replication initiation is orchestrated in bacteria by the replication initiator DnaA. Two models for regulation of DnaA activity in Escherichia coli have been proposed: the switch between an active and inactive form, and the titration of DnaA on the chromosome. Although proposed decades ago, experimental evidence of a titration-based control mechanism is still lacking. Here, we first identified a conserved high-density region of binding motifs near the origin of replication, an advantageous trait for titration of DnaA. We then investigated the mobility of DnaA by visualising single proteins inside single cells of wild-type and deletion mutants E. coli strains, while monitoring cellular size and DNA content. Our results indicate that the chromosome of E. coli controls the free amount of DnaA in a growth rate-dependent fashion. Moreover, they address long-standing questions on the relevance of DnaA titration in stabilising DNA replication by preventing re-initiation events during slow growth.
LYMTACs:chimeric small molecules repurpose lysosomal membrane proteins for target protein relocalization and degradation
Néel spin-orbit torque in antiferromagnetic quantum spin and anomalous Hall insulators
Abstract Interplay between topological electrons and magnetic ordering enables efficient electrical control of magnetism. We extend the Kane-Mele model to include the exchange coupling to a collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) order, which allows the system to exhibit the quantum anomalous Hall and quantum spin Hall effects in the absence of a net magnetization. These topological phases support a staggered Edelstein effect through which an applied electric field can generate opposite non-equilibrium spins on the two AFM sublattices, realizing the Néel-type spin-orbit torque (NSOT). Contrary to known NSOTs in AFM metals driven by conduction currents, our NSOT arises from pure adiabatic currents devoid of Joule heating, while being a bulk effect not carried by the edge currents. By virtue of the NSOT, the electric field of a microwave can drive the AFM resonance with a remarkably high efficiency, outpacing the magnetic field-induced AFM resonance by orders of magnitude in terms of power absorption.
STN1 facilitates metastasis by promoting transcription of EMT-activator ZEB1 in pancreatic cancer
AI content is tainting preprints: how moderators are fighting back
Promiscuous and multivalent interactions between Eps15 and partner protein Dab2 generate a complex interaction network
Abstract Clathrin-mediated endocytosis depends on complex protein interactions. Eps15 plays a key role through interactions of its three EH domains with Asn-Pro-Phe (NPF) motifs in intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of other endocytic proteins. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we investigate the interaction between Eps15’s EH domains and a highly disordered Dab2 fragment (Dab2 320-495 ). We find that the EH domains exhibit binding promiscuity, recognizing not only the NPF motif of Dab2 but also other phenylalanine containing motifs. This promiscuity enables interactions with Eps15’s own IDR (Eps15 IDR ), which lacks NPF motifs, suggesting a self-inhibitory state that promotes liquid-liquid phase separation. Despite competing for the same EH domain binding sites, Eps15 IDR and Dab2 320-495 can bind EH123 simultaneously, forming a highly dynamic interaction network that facilitates the recruitment of Dab2 320-495 into Eps15 condensates. Our findings provide molecular insights into the competitive interactions shaping the early stages of clathrin-mediated endocytosis.